GROUNDED – New Pipers built after February 9, 2004.

New Piper has issued this statement concerning New Piper Aircraft built after February 9, 2004.

“Dear Valued New Piper Customer:

“Here [http://www.newpiper.com/temp_popup/SB1151.pdf%5D you will find a copy of Piper Service Bulletin No. 1151 “Notification of Immediate Grounding of Effected Aircraft.” This service bulletin addresses serial number aircraft that have been licensed since February 9, 2004 by The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.

“It has been discovered that a shipment of raw sheet steel from which critical parts are fabricated may not have been properly normalized prior to shipment to Piper, therefore it may not possess the appropriate strength requirement. While the issues concerning proper strength may raise questions regarding airworthiness, we would like to assure you that the provisions of this service bulletin have been designed to provide you with the highest level of safety possible.

“Since this is an immediate grounding of the aircraft affected, it is imperative that the aircraft are not flown until this issue is resolved. New Piper is working diligently to gain resolution as quickly as possible. If your aircraft is grounded somewhere other than your home base and if you will need transportation to return to your home base, please call Piper’s toll free number (877) 879-0275 #3 extension 2273. A Piper representative will assist you with the necessary travel arrangements. This toll free number is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience this service bulletin may cause and we thank you for your understanding. Regular updates will be posted on our website; http://www.newpiper.com . If you would like us to inform you either by fax or a personal e-mail, please contact us at our toll free number referenced earlier in this letter.

“Together, New Piper Aircraft and the network of authorized New Piper Sales and Service Centers stand ready to meet this challenge. Again, we thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

THE NEW PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC.”

Models and serial numbers affected are:

PA-28-161 Warrior 2842204 through 2842211
PA-28-181 Archer 2843589 through 2843596
PA-28R-201 Arrow 2844105 though 2844111
PA32-301FT Piper 6X 3232014 through 3232025
PA-32-301XTC Piper 6XT 3255015 through 3255021
PA-32R301 Saratoga II HP 3246218 through 3246219
PA-32R301 Saratoga II TC 3257339 through 3257349
PA-34-220T Seneca V 3449302 through 3249305
PA-44-180 Seminole 4496181 through 4496184
PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage 4636349 through 4636351
PA-46-500TP Meridian 4697174 through 4697183