Piper Aircraft Forward Wing Spar Attachment Corrosion

The FAA is investigating reports of corrosion on the forward wing spar attachments of Piper PA-28, PA-32, PA-34, and PA-44 airplanes following multiple discoveries of severe corrosion in a fleet of Piper airplanes. The corrosion was found by following the recommended inspection in Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) AIR-21-10 in a location that has been found to be difficult to access and assess the extent of the corrosion.

FAA’s East Certification Branch (ECB) recently issued an Airworthiness Concern Sheet (ACS) to highlight this concern and included photographs of the severe corrosion. The FAA is recommending operators of these aircraft inspect this area, per Piper Service Bulletin No. 1400A, and provide information including descriptions, photos, serial numbers, time in service and feedback on any difficulty completing inspection instructions.

To provide feedback please contact:

Nikholas Brito-Ross

Aviation Safety Engineer, AIR-752

(404)-474-5528

COS-ECB@faa.gov