AD/PA-23/59 - Wing Rear Spar - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, form the foundational legislative framework for civil aviation in the country. One of the key components of these regulations is Part 39, which addresses various airworthiness directives to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft. A specific example within this part is the directive AD/PA-23/59, which pertains to Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the identified problem of structural integrity, specifically targeting the wing rear spar of model PA-23-150 and PA-23-160 aeroplanes. The policy objective behind this directive is to mandate regular inspections of these components to prevent potential failures, thereby enhancing flight safety. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1973, with subsequent inspections to be conducted at intervals not exceeding one year.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, encompass the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes AD/PA-23/59 related to Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all model PA-23-150 and PA-23-160 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 23-1 to 23-2046. The directive mandates that these aircraft must undergo a wing rear spar inspection within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1973 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding one year. The regulation is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all specified aircraft must comply with the outlined inspection requirements to maintain airworthiness standards. Any non-compliance with these airworthiness directives could result in penalties or other enforcement actions as prescribed by CASA.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of AD/PA-23/59 (section 1) pertain to the specific inspection requirements for the wing rear spar of the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes. This airworthiness directive applies to all model PA-23-150 and PA-23-160 aircraft with serial numbers (S/Nos.) from 23-1 to 23-2046. The directive references Piper Service Letter No. 672, which provides detailed instructions for the inspection process. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1973, and subsequently, at intervals not exceeding one year. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) imposes several obligations on the operators and owners of the affected aircraft. Firstly, they must ensure that the specified inspection of the wing rear spar is performed in accordance with the guidelines provided in Piper Service Letter No. 672. This involves thorough visual and possibly structural assessments to identify any signs of wear, damage, or deterioration that could compromise the structural integrity of the wing. Operators must also maintain accurate records of each inspection, including the date, findings, and any corrective actions taken. Additionally, if any deficiencies are detected during the inspection, the operators must address them promptly to ensure continued compliance with airworthiness standards. Breaching the requirements of AD/PA-23/59 may result in serious legal and safety consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, failure to comply with an airworthiness directive can be considered an offence, potentially leading to enforcement actions by CASA. In civil terms, non-compliance could result in fines, the grounding of the aircraft, and the potential suspension or revocation of the operator’s licence. Criminal penalties may also apply, particularly if the breach is found to have contributed to an accident or incident. The maximum penalties for such offences can be significant, reflecting the importance of adhering to these safety directives. Operators found in breach of AD/PA-23/59 may face fines of up to $275,000 for corporations and $55,000 for individuals, in addition to any civil aviation enforcement actions taken by CASA.