Thank you for your explanation of your experience with the Piper spar issue. I have been compiling info and you have a great explanation of it all. I perform annual inspections on many Pipers and would love to clarify as much as possible the new rule. Thanks again.
Glad this was useful... I've read the "proposed" changes to the AD, and from what I've gathered the only real change is that all of the listed Pipers will now be required to have the eddy current inspection done at 12000 total time, regardless of the factored service hours. Some have said it would require a wing replacement at 12K, but that is not what I see in the doc. Replacement is still only required "if" you find cracks. Here's the proposed language: ua-cam.com/users/redirect?event=comments&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmZUUmdBUFRaaDNLSDktRFdsOFJhSDJQV1Q2d3xBQ3Jtc0tsMngyV2F3SHdiVHBlbHc2eUwzdnBPQ1VKRmZDaElRUjBmcnBFb080M3FBRk56M3o0NWZ0bDh1bHZ4T3hVdGVVNG5QT3FXUkhsendvMF90QVRFODhtd3Jic3pWcU1LNzFHTUJsOWtxS0IxUkgxX2dmbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.federalregister.gov%2Fdocuments%2F2024%2F09%2F19%2F2024-21209%2Fairworthiness-directives-piper-aircraft-inc-airplanes&stzid=Ugztz8DxNxyNabki1JR4AaABAg.AA1hu60ZyvuAA3EXo2nC1t
Great explanation. I heard they are going to make the AD even more stringent. Where you get to a certain amount of air-frame hours and you have to replace the wing spars.
Here’s the latest “proposed” changes from the FAA www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/09/19/2024-21209/airworthiness-directives-piper-aircraft-inc-airplanes
I had my Arrow II done. Nerve wracking while they perform the testing. You did the right thing! Some people have the “out of sight, out of mind” thought regarding this. I am very happy I had this inspection completed!
Yeah nerve wracking is right… the whole time…. I agree, better to know that just wonder, plus my son is going to time build in it so I want to make sure it’s all good to go. Thanks for watching. Hope you subscribe to the channel
I owned a Piper Turbo Arrow III for most of the 1980s and got my instrument and commercial ratings in it. Loved that plane. I hope you enjoy yours as well. The PA 28 series is a good one with something for most people somewhere in the lineup.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate that kind of feedback! I try to provide useful and accurate information… nice to know that someone with your expertise thinks I’m doing it right! Also, if you ever think I’m not doing something right, please let me know.
Unfortunately there’s another Cherokee N9855S had both wings fall off in flight a few months ago. Keeping an eye on this accident I’m considering my first airplane and now leaning towards Cessna. This would make it the first AD compliant Cherokee to have an inflight breakup.
@@BlueSkyFlight keep me in the loop on your findings it’s tragic that a life was lost however I do feel that there’s a difference between pilot error vs airframe error. I’m hoping to buy my first plane in the near future and pipers are more attractive price wise vs a Cessna.
So from what I have read and seen in relation to this accident, this does NOT appear to be an issue with the aircraft like the wingspar AD. The carry through spar box of this aircraft appears to be severely bent in a way consistent with the airframe exceeding wing load limits in flight. According to the surviving pilot they had just completed a series of commercial maneuvers (none of which should have exceeded limits), and then the other pilot demonstrated another maneuver used in the EU for commercial pilots. Again, not a maneuver which should have exceeded limits. However the ADSB data appears to show a maneuver with an abrupt 180 turn with a descent consistent with 6000 fpm and then a level off just prior to the point where both wings came off and the entirety of the aircraft pieces fell to earth in a very confined space. I don't want to speculate on what anyone may or may not have done, but I don't believe the evidence points to an issue with pipers in general.
Great video, well explained re. the Wing Spar AD. Our 1965 PA-24 Comanche is subject to several ADs, but so far happily not this one. I know the wing design is somewhat different to the PA28 family, and despite being designed to an earlier set of criteria being an older aircraft, I'm told the Comanche wing spar is a pretty strong part of the aircraft, which is just as well with some of my landings! Thanks for your videos, keep up the good work....
Thank you very much for the feedback and compliment. Glad to hear that you are not included in the AD. Fortunately for others, it seems like very few are coming back with a failure.
I had a Pre-buy inspection and had low flight time 2890TT. Piper Tomahawk PA38 112 is what I purchased with IFR package GNS 530 for $40k. Plane fits my mission. Good luck with your aircraft.
Very good video. You explained it very well and added a few things that I have missed. I did the inspection a few years ago, but your video is prompting me to review the calculations I made in order to determine just where my plane fits on the scale of 0 to 5,000 factored hours. No one wants a wing separation in flight. Thanks for the reminder.
Yeah if all else looks good in the pre buy might be worth having the inspection performed for about $400-$500, if it hasn’t already, as a final decision point.
Great info sir. I just recently got my PPL… starting to sniff around potential planes to purchase. Did most of my training in a Cherokee 180. I’ve heard about the wing spar ADs. This will definitely help me narrow my focus and has increased my awareness of what to look out for… I prefer the low wings as well. Spent a lot of time in a 172, but the Cherokee family definitely won my heart.
Yeah, something about the low wing - just looks sporty.. CONGRATULATIONS on the PPL!! That's fantastic! Welcome to the fraternity of the very small percentage of people who have done what you have. Definitely take your time with the purchase and try not to fall in love with an airplane until you've had it checked out well. Talk to some owners at a nearby airport or something like that and they may be able to point you towards a good A&P who can assist with the pre-buy evaluation and reviewing log books. PLEASE follow up and let me know what you end up buying.
@@BlueSkyFlight Thank you! It was quite a journey to take at 42 years old, but we got it done. I’ll definitely let you know what direction I take on the plane purchase. I’d love to try a Mooney, but I’m 6’3 and 250lbs. I doubt that will be an option haha. Thanks again and stay safe up there.
Once the Eddy current inspection is completed, do you know what is the time frame for consecutive inspections? I was reading 3-5 years but unsure if that was correct. Thanks! Keep up with the great content.
I had not seen any language requiring any further inspections in the AD. I wouldn’t think it would be anywhere near that often. It’s not good to remove those bolts so often. Each time you do you risk damaging the holes. Where are you seeing that.
Great info and glad yours was OK, I didn't fully understand the requirement, but I think I do now. PA-28-161 owner. I wonder what the risk in removing those bolts is? Probably none. Do they put a new bolt in, or re-use the old? 3 wings failed out of 32,000 PA-28's sounds pretty good odds!
They just need to be careful removing the bolts so as to avoid using anything that would damage the holes. The bolts need to be replaced with new. I think they were about $40 each. I’m glad the video provided some clarity for you. Thank you for watching!
My Arrow has 4900 TT, with 1800ish factored hours. I am not doing the inspection as I have a very solid wing no movement. The second there is movement it is grounded. I am waiting for Piper to catch up on spars, if I need one there will be one available and maybe the price will come down.
Its a decision that everyone has to make on their own. With that kind of time, I would think your probably not very unlikely to have an issue as well, but I wouldn't base your decision on movement. The cracks that led to the failures were so small that I don't think there wouldn't have been any movement either. I decided that adding $400-$500 to the cost of my annual inspection was worth just knowing for certain.
This wing spar AD time bomb will hit the Piper owner sooner or later. The only way to catch it is to do regular inspection of the spar to catch the cracks before they become catastrophic.
Thanks for sharing that info. That seems to be a similar range around me as well. Other than the $500 extra for the wing spar inspection, there were no major items to repair during the annual this year.
Can you list the company name or how to find someone that is capable of doing this inspection on my aircraft? I want the ease of mind hahah! I’m located in Illinois
I haven't seen any language on that. Do you have a link to a recent change in the AD. Didn't see anything in the FAA database that changes the language.
Pro tip--wait till the wing falls off in flight and then the insurance company will repair the spar issue when they fix the associated damage. j/k congrats on the pass! When would you have it inspected again?
LOL.... I'll have to review the AD, but I don't believe there is any future requirement once it passes the eddy current inspection at this point (obviously subject to change as they gather more data). I think personally, I'd probably do it again at the next 5000 hr interval, if I still have it then.
Not worried at all. The eddy current revealed no cracks, and my aircraft was never used in a training environment or lots of low level (pipeline inspection) type of flying and still has well under 6000 total time. I disagree about it being a ticking time bomb any more that any 50+ year old airplane. Well maintained and well inspected is important for every airplane of that age. No signs of corrosion and flown well within g limits - I think there's plenty of life left in her.
@@BlueSkyFlight I get it that owners don’t want to make a big deal of this and have prices drop, but the difference is the FAA has given the Piper PA series a 12,000 mandate to change the spar now So it IS a ticking time bomb. At some point it WILL time out. And just because it passed inspection today doesn’t mean it will tomorrow. I have freinds w archers and arrows they aren’t school planes but they still fly a lot of practice landings etc not to mentions turbulence. Certainly the lower the hours the less the worry but also cant say it’s the SAME as any other old airplane because most don’t have an expiration date. This has also been updated on OCT of 24 w a new spar being available from what over read. But I’m also new to this, situation. Personally I think Piper should be on the hook for the non cold bent spars at cost . Which is what is used in new airplanes.
I just read the new “proposed” AD revision. It does NOT mandate replacement. It will require another inspection at the 12000 hour mark. And says replacement IF cracks are found. And no, as an owner I would not compromise safety of myself, my passengers (including my family) over concerns about my plane losing value. According to the report, out of 2800 eddy current inspections, 100 were positive. www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/09/19/2024-21209/airworthiness-directives-piper-aircraft-inc-airplanes
Here’s what it says: “This proposed AD would require reviewing airplane maintenance records to determine if an eddy current inspection of the lower main wing spar bolt holes was done and depending on the result, doing an eddy current inspection of the lower wing spar for crack(s) if not previously done or if done prior to 12,000 hours TIS, and replacing any cracked main wing spar. This proposed AD would also require sending all inspection results to Piper and the FAA.”
Thank you for your explanation of your experience with the Piper spar issue. I have been compiling info and you have a great explanation of it all. I perform annual inspections on many Pipers and would love to clarify as much as possible the new rule. Thanks again.
Glad this was useful... I've read the "proposed" changes to the AD, and from what I've gathered the only real change is that all of the listed Pipers will now be required to have the eddy current inspection done at 12000 total time, regardless of the factored service hours. Some have said it would require a wing replacement at 12K, but that is not what I see in the doc. Replacement is still only required "if" you find cracks. Here's the proposed language:
ua-cam.com/users/redirect?event=comments&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmZUUmdBUFRaaDNLSDktRFdsOFJhSDJQV1Q2d3xBQ3Jtc0tsMngyV2F3SHdiVHBlbHc2eUwzdnBPQ1VKRmZDaElRUjBmcnBFb080M3FBRk56M3o0NWZ0bDh1bHZ4T3hVdGVVNG5QT3FXUkhsendvMF90QVRFODhtd3Jic3pWcU1LNzFHTUJsOWtxS0IxUkgxX2dmbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.federalregister.gov%2Fdocuments%2F2024%2F09%2F19%2F2024-21209%2Fairworthiness-directives-piper-aircraft-inc-airplanes&stzid=Ugztz8DxNxyNabki1JR4AaABAg.AA1hu60ZyvuAA3EXo2nC1t
I like how you think, my guy! It's hard to commit to be thorough. We should all strive to be so.
Thank you and thanks for watching!
Great explanation. I heard they are going to make the AD even more stringent. Where you get to a certain amount of air-frame hours and you have to replace the wing spars.
Here’s the latest “proposed” changes from the FAA
www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/09/19/2024-21209/airworthiness-directives-piper-aircraft-inc-airplanes
I had my Arrow II done. Nerve wracking while they perform the testing. You did the right thing! Some people have the “out of sight, out of mind” thought regarding this. I am very happy I had this inspection completed!
Yeah nerve wracking is right… the whole time…. I agree, better to know that just wonder, plus my son is going to time build in it so I want to make sure it’s all good to go. Thanks for watching. Hope you subscribe to the channel
I owned a Piper Turbo Arrow III for most of the 1980s and got my instrument and commercial ratings in it. Loved that plane. I hope you enjoy yours as well. The PA 28 series is a good one with something for most people somewhere in the lineup.
I agree. It’s a great airplane. Pretty good speed at a low fuel burn, and good room and useful load. Thanks for sharing!
Great video with an excellent explanation of this AD. I am an A&P with IA and you Sir just got a subscriber.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate that kind of feedback! I try to provide useful and accurate information… nice to know that someone with your expertise thinks I’m doing it right!
Also, if you ever think I’m not doing something right, please let me know.
Looks great
Thank you!
very well explained thanks
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching.
I'm an old Arrow guy (renter) too. Subscribed.
Welcome. Thanks so much for watching and for subscribing!
Eddy Current inspection is a piece of mind that is priceless for a small amount of money to know...
That’s exactly how I looked at it… better to know good or bad
Unfortunately there’s another Cherokee N9855S had both wings fall off in flight a few months ago. Keeping an eye on this accident I’m considering my first airplane and now leaning towards Cessna. This would make it the first AD compliant Cherokee to have an inflight breakup.
Had not heard about that. I’ll look it up.. thanks for sharing
@@BlueSkyFlight keep me in the loop on your findings it’s tragic that a life was lost however I do feel that there’s a difference between pilot error vs airframe error. I’m hoping to buy my first plane in the near future and pipers are more attractive price wise vs a Cessna.
Says it had over 15,000 hours on the planes airframe
So from what I have read and seen in relation to this accident, this does NOT appear to be an issue with the aircraft like the wingspar AD. The carry through spar box of this aircraft appears to be severely bent in a way consistent with the airframe exceeding wing load limits in flight. According to the surviving pilot they had just completed a series of commercial maneuvers (none of which should have exceeded limits), and then the other pilot demonstrated another maneuver used in the EU for commercial pilots. Again, not a maneuver which should have exceeded limits. However the ADSB data appears to show a maneuver with an abrupt 180 turn with a descent consistent with 6000 fpm and then a level off just prior to the point where both wings came off and the entirety of the aircraft pieces fell to earth in a very confined space. I don't want to speculate on what anyone may or may not have done, but I don't believe the evidence points to an issue with pipers in general.
Great video, well explained re. the Wing Spar AD. Our 1965 PA-24 Comanche is subject to several ADs, but so far happily not this one. I know the wing design is somewhat different to the PA28 family, and despite being designed to an earlier set of criteria being an older aircraft, I'm told the Comanche wing spar is a pretty strong part of the aircraft, which is just as well with some of my landings! Thanks for your videos, keep up the good work....
Thank you very much for the feedback and compliment. Glad to hear that you are not included in the AD. Fortunately for others, it seems like very few are coming back with a failure.
I had a Pre-buy inspection and had low flight time 2890TT. Piper Tomahawk PA38 112 is what I purchased with IFR package GNS 530 for $40k. Plane fits my mission. Good luck with your aircraft.
That’s awesome. I’ve got a bunch of time in one of those… fun little airplane. Congratulations
@@BlueSkyFlight thanks enjoying the journey in it.
Very good video. You explained it very well and added a few things that I have missed. I did the inspection a few years ago, but your video is prompting me to review the calculations I made in order to determine just where my plane fits on the scale of 0 to 5,000 factored hours. No one wants a wing separation in flight. Thanks for the reminder.
Glad you found it useful. Fingers crossed for you - LOL.
Valuble info.
Very happy it was helpful for you - thank you so much for watching - hope you subscribe!
Very good information. Been looking at a Cherokee 6 so I’ll be asking about this AD.
Yeah if all else looks good in the pre buy might be worth having the inspection performed for about $400-$500, if it hasn’t already, as a final decision point.
Great info sir. I just recently got my PPL… starting to sniff around potential planes to purchase. Did most of my training in a Cherokee 180. I’ve heard about the wing spar ADs. This will definitely help me narrow my focus and has increased my awareness of what to look out for… I prefer the low wings as well. Spent a lot of time in a 172, but the Cherokee family definitely won my heart.
Yeah, something about the low wing - just looks sporty.. CONGRATULATIONS on the PPL!! That's fantastic! Welcome to the fraternity of the very small percentage of people who have done what you have. Definitely take your time with the purchase and try not to fall in love with an airplane until you've had it checked out well. Talk to some owners at a nearby airport or something like that and they may be able to point you towards a good A&P who can assist with the pre-buy evaluation and reviewing log books. PLEASE follow up and let me know what you end up buying.
@@BlueSkyFlight
Thank you! It was quite a journey to take at 42 years old, but we got it done. I’ll definitely let you know what direction I take on the plane purchase. I’d love to try a Mooney, but I’m 6’3 and 250lbs. I doubt that will be an option haha. Thanks again and stay safe up there.
Once the Eddy current inspection is completed, do you know what is the time frame for consecutive inspections? I was reading 3-5 years but unsure if that was correct. Thanks! Keep up with the great content.
I had not seen any language requiring any further inspections in the AD. I wouldn’t think it would be anywhere near that often. It’s not good to remove those bolts so often. Each time you do you risk damaging the holes. Where are you seeing that.
Yea, Wings are kinda important. If I get a Piper low wing, I will get the Eddy Current test.
I would probably pay to have it done as part of the prebuy inspection that way you can back out of the purchase if cracks are found.
Great info and glad yours was OK, I didn't fully understand the requirement, but I think I do now. PA-28-161 owner. I wonder what the risk in removing those bolts is? Probably none. Do they put a new bolt in, or re-use the old? 3 wings failed out of 32,000 PA-28's sounds pretty good odds!
They just need to be careful removing the bolts so as to avoid using anything that would damage the holes. The bolts need to be replaced with new. I think they were about $40 each. I’m glad the video provided some clarity for you. Thank you for watching!
Once the eddy inspection is done, does it need to be done again in the future?
I didn’t see anything in the AD requiring any further checks once the Eddie current test is passed.
My Arrow has 4900 TT, with 1800ish factored hours. I am not doing the inspection as I have a very solid wing no movement. The second there is movement it is grounded.
I am waiting for Piper to catch up on spars, if I need one there will be one available and maybe the price will come down.
Its a decision that everyone has to make on their own. With that kind of time, I would think your probably not very unlikely to have an issue as well, but I wouldn't base your decision on movement. The cracks that led to the failures were so small that I don't think there wouldn't have been any movement either. I decided that adding $400-$500 to the cost of my annual inspection was worth just knowing for certain.
This wing spar AD time bomb will hit the Piper owner sooner or later. The only way to catch it is to do regular inspection of the spar to catch the cracks before they become catastrophic.
That’s why I decided to do the eddy current inspection early. Better to know now rather than wonder.
$2200 is a base price annual for shops near San Antonio on a P28R so you made out ok on that one
Thanks for sharing that info. That seems to be a similar range around me as well. Other than the $500 extra for the wing spar inspection, there were no major items to repair during the annual this year.
Can you list the company name or how to find someone that is capable of doing this inspection on my aircraft? I want the ease of mind hahah! I’m located in Illinois
The company I used is listed in the description. Their contact info is there as well. They may be able to help you find someone in your area.
Mandatory at 12,000 hrs now isn’t it as of October of 24 ?
I haven't seen any language on that. Do you have a link to a recent change in the AD. Didn't see anything in the FAA database that changes the language.
Pro tip--wait till the wing falls off in flight and then the insurance company will repair the spar issue when they fix the associated damage. j/k congrats on the pass! When would you have it inspected again?
LOL.... I'll have to review the AD, but I don't believe there is any future requirement once it passes the eddy current inspection at this point (obviously subject to change as they gather more data). I think personally, I'd probably do it again at the next 5000 hr interval, if I still have it then.
Made me sick waiting for your findings... LOL
Yeah that's exactly how I felt for about an hour waiting for him to finish the inspection... :)
Have you worried about the wings since the. Is the question?? Ticking token bomb IMO it’s not a matter of IF but WHEN.
Not worried at all. The eddy current revealed no cracks, and my aircraft was never used in a training environment or lots of low level (pipeline inspection) type of flying and still has well under 6000 total time. I disagree about it being a ticking time bomb any more that any 50+ year old airplane. Well maintained and well inspected is important for every airplane of that age. No signs of corrosion and flown well within g limits - I think there's plenty of life left in her.
@@BlueSkyFlight I get it that owners don’t want to make a big deal of this and have prices drop, but the difference is the FAA has given the Piper PA series a 12,000 mandate to change the spar now So it IS a ticking time bomb. At some point it WILL time out. And just because it passed inspection today doesn’t mean it will tomorrow.
I have freinds w archers and arrows they aren’t school planes but they still fly a lot of practice landings etc not to mentions turbulence.
Certainly the lower the hours the less the worry but also cant say it’s the SAME as any other old airplane because most don’t have an expiration date. This has also been updated on OCT of 24 w a new spar being available from what over read. But I’m also new to this, situation.
Personally I think Piper should be on the hook for the non cold bent spars at cost . Which is what is used in new airplanes.
I just read the new “proposed” AD revision. It does NOT mandate replacement. It will require another inspection at the 12000 hour mark. And says replacement IF cracks are found.
And no, as an owner I would not compromise safety of myself, my passengers (including my family) over concerns about my plane losing value.
According to the report, out of 2800 eddy current inspections, 100 were positive.
www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/09/19/2024-21209/airworthiness-directives-piper-aircraft-inc-airplanes
Here’s what it says:
“This proposed AD would require reviewing airplane maintenance records to determine if an eddy current inspection of the lower main wing spar bolt holes was done and depending on the result, doing an eddy current inspection of the lower wing spar for crack(s) if not previously done or if done prior to 12,000 hours TIS, and replacing any cracked main wing spar. This proposed AD would also require sending all inspection results to Piper and the FAA.”
ARRRGGGGGGG