AD/PA-23/36 Amdt 1 - Engine Mount - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of civil aviation within Australia. The 1998 Regulations, including Part 39 - 105, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations. One specific amendment to these regulations is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued for Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the engine mount inspection. The directive was introduced to address safety concerns related to the integrity of the engine mounts on these aircraft models, particularly those with certain serial numbers and production dates. The objective of this directive is to mitigate the risk of engine mount failure by mandating regular inspections and appropriate actions if any defects are found. The directive requires inspections to be carried out by authorised personnel within specified timeframes to ensure ongoing airworthiness.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to all persons and entities operating within the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically under the purview of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This particular legislative instrument, PART 39 - 105 SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES, pertains to the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes, focusing on the inspection and maintenance of engine mounts for aircraft with specific serial numbers and engine mount part numbers. The regulations mandate visual inspections for cracks in designated areas of the engine mounts based on the date-stamp of the engine mount and the total hours in service of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the stipulated inspection intervals and procedures can result in the aircraft being grounded until the required inspections and repairs are completed. The scope of the regulations extends to aircraft with serial numbers within the PA-23-250 series and engine mount part number 31215, with specific attention to mounts date-stamped before and after 26 May 1965. The legislation outlines clear requirements for inspecting specific areas of the engine mounts and provides detailed instructions on what actions to take if cracks are detected, including replacement or repair of the engine mounts. Compliance is mandatory, with inspections required within 50 hours after 31 May 1972 and at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of total time in service thereafter. The regulations do not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, but compliance is subject to interpretation and approval by the Secretary, indicating that CASA retains the authority to make determinations on case-by-case basis.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes through AD/PA-23/36 Amendment 1. This directive focuses on the inspection of engine mounts, which is critical for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft models. According to Section 1, for aircraft with engine mounts date-stamped prior to 26 May 1965, a thorough visual inspection is required to check for cracks in specific areas of the engine mount, namely the lower forward lateral tube, the three-tube horizontal diagonal truss, and the lower left horizontal fore and aft tube. For aircraft with engine mounts date-stamped on or after 26 May 1965, and having accumulated 1000 hours or more of total flight time, a visual inspection must be conducted for cracks on the engine mount tubes forward of the firewall. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Aircraft owners and operators must ensure that the required inspections are performed within 50 hours of flight time in service after 31 May 1972, provided the inspection has not already been conducted within the last 50 hours. Additionally, these inspections must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of flight time in service. If cracks are detected during these inspections, the directive mandates that the engine mount be either replaced with a new mount (P/N 31215) or repaired in accordance with a scheme acceptable to the Secretary. In the case of repair, the entire engine mount must be inspected for cracks using a magnetic particle method before installation, and visual inspections must continue at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of flight time in service. Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive can lead to serious consequences. While the specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text, it is generally understood that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in penalties under civil aviation law. These can include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, and potential criminal charges in cases of gross negligence or willful disregard for safety regulations. It is therefore imperative for aircraft owners and operators to adhere strictly to the requirements outlined in AD/PA-23/36 Amendment 1 to ensure both compliance and the continued safety of their operations.