AD/PA-24/3 - Nose Wheel Steering Arm Mounting Bracket - Reinforcement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through the legislative instrument F2006B05528, specifically address the issue of ensuring the airworthiness of Piper PA-24 (Comanche) series aeroplanes, particularly those with certain serial numbers. Enacted by the Australian Government, this regulation aims to rectify a safety concern identified with the nose wheel steering arm mounting NK bracket in specific model PA-24-250 aeroplanes. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by mandating immediate compliance with the reinforcement of the nose wheel steering arm mounting NK bracket as specified in Piper Service Bulletin No. 164, Paragraph VI. This legislative measure is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure that the identified aeroplanes meet the required safety standards without delay.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the maintenance, airworthiness, and operation of aircraft within Australia, thereby encompassing the Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes. The scope of the legislation is targeted towards ensuring that these specific models meet the airworthiness standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This Act applies to aircraft operators, maintenance service providers, and any individual or entity involved in the maintenance or operation of the specified Piper PA-24 models. The geographic reach of the Act is national, applying across all states and territories of Australia. The Act mandates compliance with the airworthiness directive concerning the reinforcement of the nose wheel steering arm mounting bracket for certain serial numbers of the PA-24-250 model, which is mandatory and must be addressed forthwith. The directive does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, and the enforcement is absolute for the listed serial numbers. The application of these regulations may be further detailed or extended through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-24/3 concerning the nose wheel steering arm mounting NK bracket reinforcement for specific Piper PA-24 (Comanche) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to model PA-24-250 aeroplanes with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 24-105 to 24-141, excluding certain numbers in between (subsection 1). Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved forthwith, as stated in the directive. Entities and individuals governed by this AD must ensure that the specified Piper PA-24 (Comanche) series aeroplanes are modified to reinforce the nose wheel steering arm mounting NK bracket. This involves implementing the changes outlined in Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No. 164 Para. VI to address potential safety issues related to the steering arm mounting. These modifications are essential to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aeroplanes and must be completed without undue delay to comply with the requirements set forth in the AD (subsection 2). Failure to comply with AD/PA-24/3 may result in civil or criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the text provided, but they can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach. The exact penalties would be determined by CASA upon investigation and could vary based on factors such as the nature and extent of the non-compliance, and whether it was intentional or due to negligence. It is crucial for the governed parties to adhere strictly to the AD to avoid any legal repercussions.