Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft Corporation Models PA-23, PA-23-160, PA-23-235, PA-23-250, PA-E23-250, PA-30, PA- 39, PA-40, PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-34-200, PA-34- 200T, PA-34-220T, PA-42, PA-42-720, PA-42-1000 Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to The New Piper Aircraft Corporation (Piper) Models PA-23, PA- 23-160, PA-23-235, PA-23-250, PA-E23-250, PA-30, PA-39, PA-40, PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-34-200, PA-34-200T, PA-34-220T, PA- 42, PA-42-720, PA-42-1000 airplanes. This action requires revising the FAA-approved airplane flight manual (AFM) to specify procedures that will prohibit flight in severe icing conditions (as determined by certain visual cues), limit or prohibit the use of various flight control devices while in severe icing conditions, and provide the flight crew with recognition cues for, and procedures for exiting from, severe icing conditions. This AD is prompted by results of a review of the requirements for certification of these airplanes in icing conditions, new information on the icing environment, and icing data provided currently to the flight crew. The actions specified by this AD are intended to minimize the potential hazards associated with operating these airplanes in severe icing conditions by providing more clearly defined procedures and limitations associated with such conditions.