NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-67-015
Recommendation
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE BE PUBLISHED REQUIRING AN INTERNAL INSPECTION OF THE MAIN INTEGRAL TYPE FUEL TANKS ON PIPER PA-28/PA-32 AIRCRAFT FOR ANY EVIDENCE OF PEELING OR FLAKING OF THE SEALANT COMPOUND. THOSE TANKS FOUND FAULTY SHOULD BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AS DIRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER PRIOR TO FURTHER PASSENGER OR COMMERCIAL FLIGHT.
IT IS FURTHER RECOMMENDED THAT THIS INSPECTION BE CONTINUALLY REQUIRED ON ALL PA-28-32 AIRCRAFT AT APPROPRIATE INTERVALS UNTIL A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THE PEELING AND FLAKING PROBLEM IS FOUND, OR UNTIL ADEQUATE TANK ACCESS PLATES CAN BE INSTALLED ALLOWING COMPLETE INTERNAL INSPECTION AND INTERNAL TANK REPAIRS TO BE MADE DURING PERIODIC INSPECTIONS.
Safety Issue and Context
THE RESULTS OF THE BOARD'S INVESTIGATION OF TWO FATAL PIPER CHEROKEE(PA-28-32) ACCIDENTS AND THE SUBSEQUENT VISUAL INSPECTION OF OVER FIFTY MORE MODEL PA-28-32 AIRCRAFT DISCLOSED, IN WELL OVER 50 PERCENT OF THE CASES, A DETERIORATION OF THE FUEL TANK SEALING COMPOUND ON THE INTERNAL WALLS OF THESE TANKS. THERE WAS NOTED IN SOME INSTANCES THE PEELING-OFF IN LARGE SHEETS AND IN OTHER CASES THE FLAKING OF SMALLER PARTICLES OF THIS COMPOUND.
Response History
April 12, 1967 · Recipient Response · FAA
WE ARE PROCESSING AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE WHICH REQUIRES A PERIODIC INSPECTION OF THE FUEL TANKS IN THESE AIRPLANES. A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THE PEELING AND FLAKING PROBLEM, WHICH WOULD PERMIT THE PERIODIC INSPECTIONS TO BE DISCONTINUED, IS BEING DEVELOPED BY THE AIRPLANE MANUFACTURER. UPON APPROVAL OF THE DESIGN CHANGES INVOLVED, WE WILL MODIFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE TO INCLUDE THE PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.