AD/PA-22/16 - Tail Brace Clevises - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B05420, introduce specific airworthiness directives aimed at ensuring the safety and reliability of civil aviation in Australia. This legislative instrument targets the Piper PA-22 (Tri-Pacer and Colt) series aeroplanes, specifically addressing tail brace clevises to mitigate potential risks associated with their wear and failure. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this directive aims to maintain the highest safety standards in aviation by mandating compliance with specific maintenance protocols, as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 198. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring that aeroplanes meet the required airworthiness criteria, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public from potential hazards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, addresses the mandatory airworthiness directives for aircraft, including the Piper PA-22 series aeroplanes. The particular directive AD/PA-22/16 pertains to the replacement of tail brace clevises for model PA-22-108 with serial numbers ranging from 22-8000 to 22-8042. This directive applies to the aircraft owners or operators of these specific Piper PA-22 aeroplanes, ensuring compliance with the safety requirements set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The requirement to comply with this directive is immediate, with the directive referencing Piper Service Bulletin No. 198 as the document that outlines the necessary steps for compliance. Geographically, the application of this directive falls under the Commonwealth of Australia, meaning it applies nationally and is enforced by CASA. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within this directive, and the threshold is specific to the serial numbers of the aircraft mentioned. The regulation can extend its application through subordinate instruments, but in this instance, the directive is clear and specific, leaving little room for interpretation regarding its scope and requirements.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, contain the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This part includes a directive for Piper PA-22 (Tri-Pacer and Colt) Series Aeroplanes, designated AD/PA-22/16, which pertains to the replacement of tail brace clevises (Section 1). This directive applies to Model PA-22-108 with serial numbers ranging from 22-8000 to 22-8042 (Section 2). The compliance requirement is that the specified action must be taken forthwith (Section 3). The directive references Piper Service Bulletin No. 198 for detailed instructions on the replacement process (Section 4). Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, the primary obligation imposed by AD/PA-22/16 is that the owners or operators of the affected aircraft must ensure the replacement of the tail brace clevises as specified in Piper Service Bulletin No. 198. This directive is mandatory and must be adhered to without delay to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with this directive can result in the aircraft being considered unairworthy, which could lead to serious safety implications (Section 5). The regulations do not explicitly state the specific civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance with AD/PA-22/16 in the provided text. However, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can generally lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Such actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, or even criminal charges if the non-compliance results in an accident or endangers safety. The specific penalties would depend on the severity and circumstances of the non-compliance, as outlined in other parts of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Section 6).