COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-23/81 Fuselage - Step Attachment Area - Inspection 9/80
Applicability: All models PA-23 & PA-23-160 with S/Nos. 23-1 to 23-2046; All models PA-23-235 with S/Nos. 27-505 to 27-622;
All models PA-23-250 with S/Nos. 27-1 to 27-504;
All models PA-23-250 (6 place) with S/Nos. 27-2000 and subsequent.
Document: Piper SB No. 672.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 September 1980 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service.
Background: The manufacturer has received reports which indicate that some aeroplanes may develop cracks in the fuselage tubular cross member adjacent to the cabin entry step attachment.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B05508, introduce specific airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, these regulations address the identified problem of potential fuselage cracking near the cabin entry step attachment, as reported by the manufacturer. The objective of these directives is to mandate inspections to detect and prevent such issues, ensuring the ongoing airworthiness of the affected aircraft models, specifically PA-23 and PA-23 variants with specified serial numbers. Compliance with these directives is required within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1980, and at intervals not exceeding 100 hours thereafter.
This legislative instrument reflects the commitment to maintaining stringent safety standards in civil aviation, aiming to safeguard against structural failures that could compromise flight safety. The enactment by the relevant civil aviation authority underscores the importance of proactive measures in response to manufacturer reports of structural issues, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes, applies to certain specified models of the aircraft. It mandates that all models PA-23 and PA-23-160 with serial numbers ranging from 23-1 to 23-2046, all models PA-23-235 with serial numbers from 27-505 to 27-622, all models PA-23-250 with serial numbers from 27-1 to 27-504, and all models PA-23-250 (6 place) with serial numbers from 27-2000 onwards, must comply with this directive. The legislation is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, as enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and extends to all aircraft within these serial number ranges operating within Australian airspace. The directive necessitates that inspections of the fuselage step attachment area be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1980, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service. The requirement is based on reports from the manufacturer indicating potential development of cracks in the fuselage tubular cross member adjacent to the cabin entry step attachment. The regulations do not explicitly outline exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the specified serial numbers and inspection intervals.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-23/81 pertain to the inspection of the fuselage step attachment area of Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes. Section 39-105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 mandates that all specified models of the PA-23 series, including PA-23, PA-23-160, PA-23-235, and PA-23-250, with certain serial numbers, must undergo inspection of the fuselage step attachment area. This inspection must occur within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1980 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service.
The obligations imposed by this directive require that the specified aircraft models undergo a thorough inspection of the fuselage tubular cross member adjacent to the cabin entry step attachment. The aim is to identify and address any potential cracks that may develop, as reported by the manufacturer. Compliance with these inspection intervals is crucial to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensure the safety of all persons on board.
Failure to comply with the inspection requirements outlined in AD/PA-23/81 may result in serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can lead to the aircraft being considered unairworthy, potentially grounding the aircraft until the required inspections and repairs are completed. Additionally, operators may face penalties, including fines or other enforcement actions, if they fail to adhere to the mandated inspection intervals. The exact penalties for non-compliance are detailed in the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which can include significant fines and, in severe cases, criminal charges against responsible individuals or entities.