Piper Malibu PA-46-310P Pilot Operating Handbook page 508

JuneS.2013
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MMOPA members:
As a part of Piper's ongoing efforts to keep MMOPA members apprised of operational matters involving
your airplanes, we want to make you aware of some recent activity. Piper Aircraft has issued a Mandatory
~t:rv ice Buiietin and the FAA will be issuing a related Airworthiness Directive calling for Fuel Vent Valve
rr-"n. ~ ::tions in Piner Malibu. Miraee. Matrix and Meridian aircraft.
T he Service Bulletin and AD require operators to perform a visual inspection of both left and right wing
foe! vent valves. A local mechanic can perform this simple inspection without removing or disassembling
any airplane parts. Piper anticipates that considerably less than half of the 1,900 airplanes covered under
his action will require any maintenance procedure beyond this initial inspection.
Piper is collaborating with its dealers and service center network to ensure MMOPA members and their
Piper aircraft are provided the necessary support. For ai rcraft under warranty, Piper will pay for the visual
inspection. Further, if valve replacement is necessary fo r aircraft under warranty, Piper will cover parts and
labor performed at a Piper Authorized Service Center. For older aircraft no longer under warranty. Piper
will cover the cost of required replacement parts.
Piper has been made aware that the manufacturer of certain fuel vent valves, which may have been used in
some aircraft in the PA-46 fleet, changed the material form ulation from the original valves, which were
colored orange, to a black vent valve. As installed on airplanes, the black fuel vent valves may not provide
the proper ventilation performance at all operating temperatures and must be rep laced .
We expect to make sufficient parts available as soon as possible and in the interim mechanics can perfom1
a temporary modification on the black valves that will permit operation with an OAT above -34 degrees C
(-30 degrees F) until parts can be replaced. For more details, please refer to Piper Aircraft Service Bulletin
1258 Fuel Vent Valve Inspection. Additionally, you may contact a Piper Approved Service Center.
Sincerely
P[PE~ ~~RAFT,
~Vv._sJ
~
Vincent P. Zarrella
Director Global Customer Support
2926 PIPER DRIVE I VERO BEACH, FL 32960 I 772.567.4361