AD 20050032 (PA28 & PA32)

[Flybywyre]

Has anyone out there had AD 20050032 carried out within the last 12 months ? This is the spar inspection that requires the tanks taken out and then the spar inspected for corrossion.
We have just had ours done and I would be interested to know what others have been charged for this AD ?
Regards
FBW
PS Email me if you would prefer anonymity :ok:

[A and C]

I did this AD at about this time last year and it took about six manhours to do.

But and this is the BIG BUT all the screws came out of the tanks without a problem if the screws had corroded in and had to be drilled out the job could have taken three or four times as long.

[Flybywyre]

Thanks for that.............
We've been charged for 14 hours (£45ph + VAT). However this did include replacing the tank hoses then checking fuel flow and leaks. They also replaced the seals on the front oleo which they noticed was leaking. Still seems a bit over the top though.
Regards
FBW

[smarthawke]

For a PA28, 3 man hours per tank is pretty much the quickest it can be done. An hour to drain and remove, an hour to inspect the tank, wing and change the rubber tank breather hoses (part of the AD) and an hour to reinstall and flow check.

As A&C says the time to remove is totally variable on how easy the screws come out. We had one tank that needed 27 screws to have slots cut in them as they had corroded in. Sensible people use some form of thread lubricant like grease!) in the anchor nuts before putting the screws back in. This prevents any moisture ingress causing the screws to be corroded in place.

Parts used are the breather hoses and spar corrosion prtoection stuff. If you're sensible fit stainless steel screws when refitting the tank - not cheap but they look much nicer and don't tend to corrode in place.

On the early PA28s the fuel supply hose is a flexible hose (Warriors etc have ali pipes as feeds). This is a good time to change the hose as they do decay with age and the tanks will hopefully not be out for another 7 years (when the AD is next due).

To sum up, 6 hours minimum then there is paperwork and parts to organise so 7 hours perhaps. 14 seems a bit heavy but perhaps the screws put up a fight? We don't give a fixed price because of the screw removal problem.

[Flybywyre]

Thanks very much :ok:
Regards
FBW