Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B05461, introduce specific airworthiness directives aimed at ensuring the safety of Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes. This legislation was enacted by the Australian Government to address safety concerns associated with the rudder trim tab control rod in these aircraft models. The regulations require the modification of the forward end of the rudder trim tab control rod by replacing the existing cotter pin with a steel roll pin (P/N 480-728), in compliance with Piper Service Letter No. 407. Additionally, it mandates regular inspections of the rudder trim tab control rod, with modifications to be carried out forthwith and inspections to be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. This directive is intended to mitigate potential safety risks by ensuring the integrity and functionality of the rudder trim tab control rod.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all persons and entities involved in the operation of Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 23-1 to 23-2046.12/63. This includes aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel who must ensure compliance with the Airworthiness Directives outlined in the schedule. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, extending across the Commonwealth of Australia, as it pertains to civil aviation safety standards enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the text of the regulation, meaning all specified aircraft must adhere to the outlined requirements. Additionally, the application of this regulation can be extended or further detailed through subordinate instruments issued by CASA, which may provide more specific implementation guidelines or additional conditions.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establishes a schedule of airworthiness directives that apply to certain aircraft types. In this case, AD/PA-23/31 pertains to the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes with serial numbers within the specified range (sections 1-3). This directive requires two main actions: the modification of the rudder trim tab control rod and regular inspection of the same component (section 1). According to the directive, the forward end of the rudder trim tab control rod must be modified by replacing the existing cotter pin with a steel roll pin (P/N 480-728) as detailed in Piper Service Letter No. 407. Additionally, the rudder trim tab control rod must be inspected in accordance with the same service letter (section 2). Compliance with these requirements is mandatory for the specified models and serial numbers. The obligations under this airworthiness directive are clear and precise. Operators of the Piper PA-23 aeroplanes covered by this directive must ensure that the specified modification to the rudder trim tab control rod is completed without delay, as indicated by the directive's requirement to act 'forthwith' (section 3). Furthermore, regular inspections of the rudder trim tab control rod must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service (section 3). These obligations are designed to maintain the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft, ensuring that the rudder trim tab control rod is functioning correctly and without any defects that could compromise flight safety. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/PA-23/31 could result in significant legal and operational consequences. Although the specific penalties or consequences for non-compliance are not detailed within the text, under the Civil Aviation Regulations, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions, including fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, and other administrative or legal penalties. Additionally, failure to adhere to these directives can result in severe safety risks, potentially leading to aircraft accidents or incidents that could endanger lives. It is therefore imperative for operators to strictly adhere to the directive to avoid these adverse outcomes.