AD/PA-23/30 - Rudder Trim Tab Horn - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), contain numerous provisions designed to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia. One such provision, established under Part 39, focuses on specific aircraft types and their respective maintenance requirements. The regulation in question pertains to the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes and specifically mandates the inspection of the rudder trim tab horn. This directive was introduced to address potential safety risks associated with the integrity of the rudder trim tab system, which is crucial for the aircraft's stability and control. The policy objective is to ensure that any issues with the rudder trim tab horn are identified and rectified promptly, thereby maintaining the overall airworthiness of the aircraft and safeguarding the well-being of all onboard. The legislation, AD/PA-23/30, outlines the need for a detailed visual inspection of the rudder trim tab horn attach rivets and the adjacent tab skin for any signs of loosening, working, or cracking. If such issues are detected, further inspection of the rudder trim tab support rib is required. Compliance with these inspection requirements is mandatory, with the first inspection occurring no later than 700 hours of total time in service and subsequent inspections scheduled at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. This regulatory approach underscores the commitment to proactive safety measures and the importance of adhering to established maintenance schedules to prevent potential in-flight hazards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s schedule of airworthiness directives that apply to various aircraft, including Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes. This particular legislation mandates a rigorous inspection protocol for the rudder trim tab horn on these models to ensure continued airworthiness. The directive applies to aircraft models PA-23 and PA-23-160, requiring a visual inspection of the rudder trim tab horn attach rivets using a 10X magnifying glass for any signs of looseness or working, as well as checking the adjacent tab skin for cracks. If any skin cracks, loose rivets, or working rivets are discovered, a further inspection of the rudder trim tab support rib P/N 17468-17 for cracks is necessary. Compliance with this directive must be achieved not later than 700 hours of total time in service and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. This regulation is applicable across the Commonwealth and extends its reach to ensure the safety standards of the specified aircraft operating within Australian airspace.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address the airworthiness of certain aircraft, including the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes. The relevant airworthiness directive, AD/PA-23/30, focuses on the inspection of the rudder trim tab horn, which is a critical component for maintaining the aircraft's stability and control. According to section 5/63, the directive applies to models PA-23 and PA-23-160. The main requirement of this directive is to visually inspect the rudder trim tab horn attach rivets for any signs of looseness or evidence of rivet working, as well as the adjacent tab skin for cracks (section 5/63). If any cracks, loose rivets, or signs of rivet working are detected, the directive further requires a visual inspection of the rudder trim tab support rib P/N 17468-17 for any cracking. Alternatively, compliance with FAA AD 63-7-3 is also acceptable. The compliance timeline is stringent, mandating that the specified inspections be conducted not later than 700 hours of total time in service and then at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. This ensures that the critical components are regularly checked and maintained to uphold the aircraft's airworthiness. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to serious consequences. The regulations do not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties within the provided text, but non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions can include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, and potentially criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to an accident or endangers safety. The severity of penalties can vary, but they are designed to ensure that aircraft remain safe and compliant with regulatory standards.