AD/PA-20/8 - Tail Brace Streamline Tie Rods - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation through comprehensive regulations. One of these regulations is found in Part 39 - 105, which provides a schedule of airworthiness directives to maintain the safety standards of various aircraft types. Specifically, AD/PA-20/8 pertains to the inspection of tail brace streamline tie rods on Piper PA-20 (Pacer) Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns associated with the structural integrity of the tail brace streamline tie rods. The policy objective is to mandate regular inspections at intervals not exceeding 120 hours of time in service, as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No 183 and FAA AD 60-1-7, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft. This legislative instrument underscores the commitment of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to maintaining high safety standards in the aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, applies the Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-20/8 to all models of Piper PA-20 (Pacer) Series Aeroplanes. This directive mandates the inspection of tail brace streamline tie rods, ensuring compliance with either Piper Service Bulletin No 183 or FAA AD 60-1-7, and requires these inspections to be conducted at intervals not exceeding 120 hours of time in service. The directive applies to all aircraft operators and owners of Piper PA-20 series aeroplanes operating within Australia, thereby ensuring that these aircraft meet the necessary safety standards. The directive's application is enforced by CASA and is applicable across the entire Commonwealth of Australia, with no stated exclusions or exemptions in the specific directive text, though further details and extensions might be found in subordinate instruments or additional regulatory guidance.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the Piper PA-20 (Pacer) series aeroplanes. The AD in question is AD/PA-20/8, which mandates the inspection of tail brace streamline tie rods (Section 1). This directive applies to all models of Piper PA-20 aeroplanes (Section 1, applicability). The compliance requirements are detailed in Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No 183 or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 60-1-7 (Section 1, compliance). The inspection must be performed at intervals not exceeding 120 hours of time in service (Section 1, compliance). The obligations under this AD are straightforward. Operators of Piper PA-20 aeroplanes must ensure that the tail brace streamline tie rods are inspected in accordance with either Piper SB No 183 or FAA AD 60-1-7. This inspection is mandatory and must be carried out within the specified time intervals, not exceeding 120 hours of operational time (Section 1). Failure to comply with this requirement could potentially lead to issues with the airworthiness of the aircraft, thereby affecting its ability to operate legally under the Civil Aviation Regulations. In terms of consequences for non-compliance, while the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided excerpt, breaches of ADs under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in severe repercussions. Such breaches may include civil penalties, such as fines or sanctions imposed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), or criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to safety violations or accidents. The maximum penalties can vary depending on the severity of the breach and the impact on aviation safety. For example, serious non-compliance might attract penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which can include substantial fines and potential imprisonment. It is imperative that operators adhere to these requirements to avoid any legal or safety-related consequences.