AD/PA-22/5 - Rivets in Aileron Hinge Bearing Blocks - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, were enacted to ensure safety and efficiency in civil aviation across Australia. The 1998 Regulations were introduced to address the need for a comprehensive and up-to-date legislative framework governing civil aviation, aiming to maintain the highest safety standards and to facilitate orderly growth of aviation activities. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, established under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, is the body responsible for the administration and enforcement of these regulations, with the overarching policy objective of ensuring the safety of the aviation industry and the protection of the public. One specific legislative instrument, F2006B05441, pertains to the Piper PA-22 series aeroplanes, mandating an inspection of rivets in aileron hinge bearing blocks. This instrument was designed to ensure the airworthiness of the aircraft by addressing potential structural issues that could compromise flight safety. The requirement for compliance with this directive is immediate, underscoring the importance placed on maintaining the integrity of these critical components.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-22/5, which applies to all Piper PA-22 (Tri-Pacer and Colt) series aeroplanes registered in Australia. This directive mandates the immediate inspection of rivets in the aileron hinge bearing blocks, as outlined in Piper Service Letter No. 216A, to ensure compliance with airworthiness standards. The directive applies to all persons and entities that own, operate, or maintain these aircraft, regardless of whether they are commercial or private operators. The scope of this regulation extends across all states and territories within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring a uniform standard of safety is maintained nationally. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in this directive, which means that all affected aircraft must comply with the specified inspection requirements. The authority to implement and enforce this directive is granted through the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, and further details or modifications may be introduced through subordinate instruments as necessary to address emerging safety concerns or technological advancements.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, include specific provisions for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft through the issue of Airworthiness Directives (ADs). One such AD, AD/PA-22/5, pertains to the Piper PA-22 (Tri-Pacer and Colt) series aeroplanes. This directive mandates the inspection of rivets in aileron hinge bearing blocks (section 1). The directive applies to all models within the Piper PA-22 series and requires compliance forthwith upon issuance, as documented in Piper Service Letter No. 216A (section 2). The obligations imposed by AD/PA-22/5 are quite specific. Owners and operators of Piper PA-22 aeroplanes must ensure that a certified aviation maintenance engineer (CAMe) inspects the rivets in question as per the directive. This inspection is critical to ascertain that there are no indications of failure or fatigue in the rivets, which could compromise the structural integrity of the aileron hinge bearing blocks (section 3). This requirement ensures that the aircraft remains airworthy and safe for operation. Failure to comply with AD/PA-22/5 may result in civil and criminal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce these regulations. Non-compliance with an AD can lead to enforcement actions which may include fines or, in severe cases, the grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The potential penalties for breaching these safety directives are significant, reflecting the critical nature of maintaining airworthiness in aviation (section 4). While the maximum penalty is not explicitly stated in the provided text, CASA typically imposes stringent penalties to ensure adherence to safety standards.