COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-24/36 Fin Forward Spar Attachment - Inspection 7/75
Applicability: All models.
Requirement: Visually inspect with the aid of a 5 power glass, the fin forward spar to fuselage attachment assembly where the channel P/N 20749-0 and the straps P/N 20749-5 and
-6 are riveted together, for cracks in the area of the channel bend relief holes.
Note: The part numbers quoted do not appear in the Parts Catalogue as they are components of the fin front spar which is listed as a complete assembly under a separate part number.
Compliance: Within 25 hours time in service after 26 June 1975 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended through legislative instrument F2006B05535, were enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to ensure the safety of civil aviation within the nation's airspace. This particular regulation, part of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically targets Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes, mandating a critical inspection of the fin forward spar to fuselage attachment assembly. The objective of this directive, issued under the authority of CASA, is to address potential structural weaknesses by requiring a visual inspection of the specified components to detect any cracks, thereby enhancing the overall safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.
This legislation was introduced to fill a gap in aircraft maintenance protocols, ensuring that all models of the Piper PA-24 series are inspected within 25 hours of service after 26 June 1975 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of service. The directive aims to mitigate risks associated with the structural integrity of the fin forward spar, which is crucial for the safe operation of the aircraft. By mandating these inspections, the regulations aim to prevent potential in-flight failures and ensure compliance with safety standards set forth by CASA.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Piper PA-24 (Comanche) series aeroplanes registered in Australia. These regulations mandate the inspection of the fin forward spar to fuselage attachment assembly where the channel P/N 20749-0 and the straps P/N 20749-5 and -6 are riveted together. The inspection requirement is to visually check for cracks in the area of the channel bend relief holes, using a 5 power glass. This directive applies to all models of the Piper PA-24 series and is intended to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft. The inspections must be carried out within 25 hours time in service after 26 June 1975 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service. The regulations are enforced under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring compliance with national safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a directive (AD/PA-24/36) concerning the inspection of Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes. This directive mandates that all models of these aeroplanes must undergo a visual inspection of the fin forward spar to fuselage attachment assembly. This inspection should be carried out with the aid of a 5 power glass, focusing on the area where the channel P/N 20749-0 and the straps P/N 20749-5 and -6 are riveted together, particularly around the channel bend relief holes, to check for any cracks. It is important to note that these specific part numbers are components of the fin front spar, which is listed as a complete assembly under a separate part number in the Parts Catalogue.
The primary obligation under this directive is to conduct a thorough visual inspection of the specified area of the aeroplane's fin forward spar. This inspection must be performed within 25 hours of time in service after the directive was issued on 26 June 1975, and it must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service thereafter. The directive ensures that the inspection is conducted with appropriate magnification tools to accurately identify any potential structural issues that could compromise the safety of the aeroplane.
Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this directive could have serious implications. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives, non-compliance can lead to severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can take action against operators or owners of non-compliant aircraft, potentially resulting in the grounding of the aircraft until the necessary inspections and repairs are completed. This could incur significant financial costs and delays in operations, as well as potentially endangering the safety of passengers and crew.
The consequences of not adhering to the inspection requirements could also extend beyond operational issues. In the event of an accident or incident caused by a failure to comply with airworthiness directives, the operator or responsible party could face criminal charges under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Such charges could result in substantial fines and even imprisonment, highlighting the importance of strict adherence to the regulations outlined in AD/PA-24/36. The primary aim of these stringent requirements is to ensure the highest standards of safety in civil aviation, thereby protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the aviation industry.