AD/PA-11/2 Amdt 5 - Wing Lift Strut Forks

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, was enacted to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft in Australian airspace. This legislative instrument addresses specific safety concerns associated with Piper PA-11 and J3 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the integrity of the wing lift strut forks. The problem this amendment aimed to resolve is the risk associated with the structural integrity of the lift strut forks, which can lead to potential failure if not properly managed. The policy objective is to ensure that these aircraft remain safe for operation by mandating the installation of "No Step" decals and the retirement of lift strut forks to mitigate safety risks. This amendment was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority granted by the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The effectiveness of this directive is crucial in maintaining the continuing airworthiness of these aircraft and ensuring compliance with safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to all model PA-11 and J3 aeroplanes, with specific directives set out under Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. These regulations govern the conduct and maintenance standards required to ensure the continuing airworthiness of these aircraft types. The regulations mandate that a "No Step" decal be installed on the starboard lift strut and that the lift strut forks be retired from service. Notably, the installation of sealed lift struts in accordance with Piper mandatory Service Bulletin 528D negates the requirement to retire the lift strut forks. Compliance with these directives is critical, requiring the installation of the placard within 50 hours of time in service after 30 September 1986, and the retirement of lift strut forks before accumulating 1000 hours of time in service. This directive, effective from 27 April 1995, replaces previous inspection requirements and manages airworthiness on a retirement life basis, discontinuing the need for magnetic particle inspections at the halfway point of the specified service hours.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain a schedule of airworthiness directives for various aircraft, including the Piper PA-11 and J3 series aeroplanes. Amendment 5 (AD/PA-11/2) issued in 1995, focuses on the wing lift strut forks. Section 1 of this amendment mandates the installation of a "No Step" decal on the starboard lift strut and requires the retirement of lift strut forks from service (section 2). However, if sealed lift struts are installed in accordance with Piper mandatory Service Bulletin 528D, the requirement to retire the lift strut forks is negated (section 3). The obligations imposed by this amendment require operators to ensure that the "No Step" decal is installed before the aeroplane reaches 50 hours of time in service after 30 September 1986 (section 1). Additionally, operators must retire the lift strut forks before the aeroplane accumulates 1000 hours of time in service (section 2). These requirements are designed to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft by managing the continuing airworthiness of the components through a retirement life basis. Failure to comply with the provisions of this amendment may result in legal consequences. Although specific penalties are not mentioned in the text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to civil or criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The penalties for breaches of civil aviation regulations can include fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity and nature of the offence. Operators found in breach of these directives could also face grounding of their aircraft, which could have significant operational and financial implications.