Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Models PA-28-160, PA-28-161, PA-28-180, and PA-28-181 Airplanes

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-28-160, PA-28-161, PA- 28-180, and PA-28-181 airplanes that incorporate Petersen Aviation, Inc. Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA2660CE installed between April 20, 1998, and April 1, 2005, and incorporate Petersen Aviation, Inc. Service Bulletin SB98-1. This AD requires you to replace the AN894-6-4 bushing screw thread expanders on the gascolator and bushing attached to the inlet of the top fuel pump with NAS1564-6-4J reducers and AN818-6 nuts. This AD results from reports of fuel leaks during the post STC installation tests. We are issuing this AD to prevent fuel fittings used in STC SA2660CE from leaking fuel in the engine compartment, which could result in an engine fire. This condition could lead to loss of control of the airplane.