NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-76-118
Recommendation
ALERT GADO INSPECTORS AND HOLDERS OF INSPECTION AUTHORIZATIONS TO THE INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONFIGURATION MODIFICATIONS, POSSIBLE ASSOCIATED STABILITY PROBLEMS, AND WEIGHT AND BALANCE CHANGES WHICH CAN REQUIRE CONTROL SYSTEM CHANGES. REF. FAA HANDBOOK 8310.4A, PARAGRAPH 68, E.
Safety Issue and Context
ON MARCH 28, 1976, NEAR PULLMAN, WASHINGTON, A PIPER PA23-250 C (N6199Y) STRUCK THE GROUND IN A HIGH SPEED SPIRAL. DURING ITS INVESTIGATION OF THE CRASH, THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD DISCOVERED THAT A MAJOR STRUCTURAL ALTERATION HAD BEEN APPROVED AND ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT PROPER ENGINEERING EVALUATION. THE MAJOR ALTERATION WAS AN EXTENSION OF THE FUSELAGE NOSE BY INSTALLING P/N 32958-00--SECTION ASSEMBLY - FUSELAGE NOSE. APPROVAL FOR THE INSTALLATION WAS GIVEN BY THE GENERAL AVIATION DISTRICT OFFICE (GADO)ON A "MAJOR REPAIR AND ALTERATION" FAA FORM 337, DATED MARCH 14, 1975.
THE BASIS FOR APPROVAL WAS THE PIPER SERVICE MANUAL.CHANGES IN WEIGHT WERE LISTED AND A STATEMENT THAT THE WEIGHT AND BALANCE DATA HAD BEEN REVISED WAS INCLUDED.
Response History
November 9, 1976 · Recipient Response · FAA
WE ARE PREPARING A NOTICE TO ALERT FIELD INSPECTORS OF THE NEED TO OBTAIN ENGINEERING APPROVAL FOR FUTURE MODIFICATIONS RELATED TO THE INSTALLATION OF THE EXTENDED NOSE ON PIPER PA-23 AIRPLANES. THIS NOTICE WILL ALSO CONTAIN MATERIAL COVERING THE POINTS RAISED IN RECOMMENDATIONS 3 AND 4. ISSUANCE OF THIS NOTICE IS EXPECTED WITHIN THE NEXT 45 DAYS.