SERVICE 1204 NO.

Piper Aircraft, Inc.

BULLETIN
2926 Piper Drive
Vero Beach, Florida, U.S.A. 32960
PIPER CONSIDERS
COMPLIANCE MANDATORY
Date: December 18, 2009 (S)

SUBJECT: RE-CALCULATION OF WING STRUCTURE

LIFE LIMIT DUE TO UNIQUE USAGE

MODELS AFFECTED: SERIAL NUMBERS AFFECTED:

PA-46-310P Malibu 46-8408001 through 46-8408087
46-8508001 through 46-8508109
46-8608001 through 46-8608067
4608001 through 4608140
PA-46-350P Mirage 4622001 through 4622200; 4636001 and Up
PA-46R-350T Matrix 4692001 and Up
PA-46-500TP Meridian 4697001 and Up

COMPLIANCE TIME: Initial compliance to coincide with the next regularly scheduled maintenance
event, but not to exceed the next one hundred (100) hours time in service.
Thereafter, compliance to be accomplished on a recurring basis, at a frequency
interval not to exceed one (1) calendar year, or two hundred fifty (250) hours
time in service, whichever comes first.

APPROVAL: The technical content of this Service Bulletin has been shown to comply with
the applicable Federal Aviation Regulations and is FAA approved.

PURPOSE: A crack was discovered in the lower wing spar of a Mirage aircraft, occurring at
a Time In Service (TIS) that is less than the type-certificated wing structure
life limit of 15,580 hours. The subject aircraft was utilized in a low-level pipeline
patrol mission, which is much more severe than the typical operating
environment for which the aircraft was designed.
Although no design related root cause has been identified to explain the single
event described above, it has been determined that all affected aircraft shall be
subjected to a recurring assessment of the aircraft’s flight profile history,
and where applicable, a recurring re-calculation of the remaining life of the
wing structure.

NOTE: As long as the aircraft is operated exclusively within “Category I, Normal Usage” as
described in the instructions of this Service Bulletin, the life limit of the wing is not
affected by this Service Bulletin.

(OVER)
ATA: 5711
SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 1204 PAGE 2 OF 4

PURPOSE: (Continued) This Service Bulletin provides an Interactive PDF Form as a means of
re-calculating the remaining service life of the wing structure, based on prior
operating history and using guidance from FAA Advisory Circular AC 23-13A.

WARNING: FAILURE TO FULLY COMPLY WITH THIS SERVICE BULLETIN WILL RESULT IN OPERATION
OF AN AIRCRAFT BEYOND THE LIFE LIMITS, WHICH COULD SERIOUSLY AFFECT THE
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY, SAFETY AND AIRWORTHINESS OF THE AIRCRAFT!

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Determine Historical Usage

Research the prior operating history of the aircraft to determine historical usage, as defined below:

Category I, Normal Usage

Applies to aircraft with an operating history that does not include any of the “Unique Usage” operations
described below.

NOTE: For PA-46R-350T Matrix Model, Normal Usage includes operating at altitudes over
one-thousand (1,000) feet Above Ground Level (AGL).

Category II, Unique Usage

Applies to aircraft that have been operated in one or more of the following conditions:
A. Severe Usage Operation: Usage involving contour or terrain following operations, (such as
powerline/pipeline patrol, aerial photography or survey, fish/game spotting, police patrol, banner
towing, or livestock management) where the aircraft is operating at altitudes below one-thousand
(1,000) feet Above Ground Level (AGL).
B. Training: Student pilot flight instruction usage involving “touch and go” flights, for extended periods
of time.
C. Low Altitude Operation (applicable to Malibu, Mirage and Meridian models): Operating at
altitudes between one-thousand (1,000) feet and seven-thousand (7,000) feet Above Ground Level
(AGL), for extended periods of time.

NOTE: Unique usage does not include initial and recurrent flight training necessar y to
maintain the proficiency of the owner/operator, or occasional flights at low altitudes.
These operations are considered “Normal Usage”.

2. Required Action
• If the operating history of the aircraft is determined to be exclusively “Category I, Normal Usage”, the
life limit of the wing is not affected, and remains as currently stated in the Type Certificate and applicable
Piper Maintenance Manual. Make a logbook entry that includes the following statement.
Complied with Piper SB 1204. Operating history of this aircraft
has been determined to be “Category I, Normal Usage” at this time.
• If the operating history of the aircraft is determined to include any “Category II, Unique Usage”, the life
limit of the wing must be recalculated. Proceed to step 3 below.
SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 1204 PAGE 3 OF 4

INSTRUCTIONS: (Continued)
3. Recalculation of Wing Structure Life Limit
For aircraft with an operating history that includes “Category II, Unique Usage” as defined in step 1 above,
select and open the applicable interactive PDF form below and input the data required, using a computer
keyboard. The interactive PDF form will perform the mathematical calculations and display the new Wing
Structure Life Limit.

WARNING: IF THE DATA ENTERED IN THE WING STRUCTURE LIFE LIMIT CALCULATOR RESULTS IN A
ZERO IN THE FIELD LABELED “WING LIFE REMAINING IF ALL FUTURE OPERATIONS
CONFORM TO CATEGORY I, NORMAL USAGE”, THEN THE LIFE LIMIT OF THE WING
STRUCTURE HAS BEEN REACHED OR EXCEEDED. PARTS THAT HAVE ACCUMULATED
THE LIFE LIMIT SHALL BE DISPOSED OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPLICABLE FARS.
PIPER RECOMMENDS THAT LIFE LIMITED PARTS WITH NO TIME AND/OR CYCLES
REMAINING BE COMPLETELY DESTROYED.

NOTE: The interactive PDF forms included in this Ser vice Bulletin are only applicable for
a i r c ra f t t h a t c o n fo r m t o P i p e r a p p r ove d o r i g i n a l Ty p e D e s i g n . Fo r a i r c ra f t w i t h
m o d i f i c a t i o n s w h i c h a r e n o t P i p e r a p p r o ve d t h a t a f fe c t w i n g l o a d i n g ( s u c h a s
powerplant changes, after-market wing fairings, winglets, extended range fuel tanks, or
the addition of floats) contact the Modification Approval Holder for guidance.

NOTE: The Life Limit re-calculation described in this Service Bulletin applies to the wings
only, and not to the rest of the airframe. If an aircraft has had a complete wing
replacement, use the TIS of the replacement wing. For the PA-46-500TP Meridian and
PA-46R-350T Matrix, this life limit applies to the horizontal stabilizer and vertical fin
assemblies as well.

NOTE: A computer with Adobe Acrobat Reader version 8 software or higher is required to
perform the Wing Structure Life Limit calculation. The latest version of Adobe Acrobat
Reader is available for download on the web at www.adobe-reader.org. or click on the
icon below.

NOTE: If a computer is not available, contact your Authorized Piper Dealer for assistance in performing
this calculation.

TO OPEN INTERACTIVE PDF FORM

Click on appropriate Aircraft Model

PA-46-310P PA-46R-350T PA-46-350P PA-46-500TP PA-46-500TP

STANDARD G.W. *I.G.W.

* Increased Gross Weight S/N 4697157 and UP or aircraft with the IGW kit 767-360 installed.
SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 1204 PAGE 4 OF 4

INSTRUCTIONS: (Continued)
4. Documentation of Wing Structure Life Limit Recalculation
If a recalculation of the wing structure life limit has been performed in accordance with the above instructions,
print out a copy of the applicable interactive PDF form created in step 3, and cut it out along the dotted lines to
allow the form to fit inside a standard-size aircraft logbook.
A qualified individual must attest to the accuracy of the aircraft operating history data shown on the form, by
signing the form in the space provided using permanent ink. Those qualified to sign are limited to the
registered aircraft owner, and individuals authorized to perform and document preventative maintenance on
the subject aircraft, in accordance with Title 14 of the FAA Code of Federal Regulations Section 43.7.
Permanently affix the printed form inside the aircraft logbook, as documentation of compliance with this
Service Bulletin.

MATERIAL REQUIRED: N/A

AVAILABILITY OF PARTS: N/A

EFFECTIVITY DATE: This Service Bulletin is effective as of release date.

SUMMARY: N/A

NOTE: Please notify the factory of address/ownership corrections. Changes should include
aircraft model, serial number, current owner's name and address.

Corrections and/or changes should be directed to:

PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC.

Attn: Customer Service
2926 Piper Drive
Vero Beach, FL 32960