Piper Aircraft - Air intake
FAA issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) to alert owners, operators, and maintenance technicians of Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-28, PA-32, PA-34, PA-44, and PA-46 series airplanes of an airworthiness concern, specifically structural deterioration and possible collapse of the air inlet hose. The air inlet hose may be between the air filter and the fuel injector, carburetor or carburetor heat box depending on the airplane model. A collapsed hose reduces airflow to the engine and could result in a rough running engine or a loss of power. At this time, the airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant an FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD). Background In November 2013, a Piper Model PA-28-140 airplane impacted terrain shortly after takeoff. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot who was the sole occupant was seriously injured. Immediately before the accident, the pilot reported a loss of