AD/PA-23/60 Amdt 1 - Stabilator Attachment Bolts - Inspection and Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, aim to regulate civil aviation operations within Australia, ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel. One specific legislative instrument within this Act, F2006B05487, addresses the safety of Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes through the issuance of Airworthiness Directives. This directive, AD/PA-23/60 Amendment 1, was introduced to tackle the issue of stabilator attachment bolt corrosion in these aircraft models, thereby enhancing flight safety. The policy objective is to mandate regular inspection and replacement of these critical components to prevent potential structural failures during flight. The directive applies to all models PA-23 with serial numbers ranging from 27-1 to 27-4654, requiring the removal and inspection of the left-hand and right-hand stabilator attachment bolts for corrosion, with specific compliance intervals set to ensure ongoing airworthiness.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically addresses the airworthiness directives for Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-23/60 Amendment 1. This directive applies to all models of the PA-23 series with serial numbers ranging from 27-1 to 27-4654, ensuring the safety and regulatory compliance of these aircraft within Australian airspace. The requirement outlined in this directive involves the inspection and potential replacement of the stabilator attachment bolts to prevent corrosion, a critical safety measure to maintain the integrity of the aircraft's stabilator. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be executed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 January 1974, and subsequently, the inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding three months until the bolts are replaced in line with Piper Service Letter No. 667. This regulation underscores the importance of regular maintenance and safety checks to ensure that all applicable aircraft meet the stringent safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifies requirements for Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes, particularly in relation to stabilator attachment bolts. Specifically, AD/PA-23/60 Amendment 1 (AD/PA-23/60Amdt 1) mandates the inspection and replacement of stabilator attachment bolts for all models PA-23 with serial numbers ranging from 27-1 to 27-4654 (Section 39 - 105). This directive requires the removal and inspection of the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) stabilator attachment bolts for signs of corrosion (Section 39 - 105). Under these regulations, the primary obligations for aircraft operators and owners include conducting a thorough inspection of the specified stabilator attachment bolts within 100 hours of time in service after 31 January 1974. This inspection must be repeated at intervals not exceeding three months until the bolts are replaced in accordance with Piper Service Letter No. 667 (Section 39 - 105). These requirements are designed to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of the aircraft by preventing potential structural failures due to corrosion. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline potential civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. Operators who fail to adhere to these inspection and replacement requirements risk facing regulatory action, including fines and potential criminal charges for endangering public safety (Section 39 - 105). The specific penalties can vary but may include significant financial penalties and other enforcement measures as determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.