AD/PA-24/42 - Flap Extension Limitation - Warning Placard

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. In particular, Part 39 - 105 within the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 focuses on issuing airworthiness directives that address specific safety concerns related to aircraft operations. The legislative instrument F2006B05541 (AD/PA-24/42) is an example of such a directive, specifically aimed at mitigating risks associated with the Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes that have been modified with the Robertson STOL modification kit. The directive was introduced to address the problem of possible loss of aeroplane control due to asymmetric flap extension or retraction in these models. The policy objective is to ensure that pilots are adequately informed of the limitations and operational requirements to maintain safe flight conditions. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, mandate that a placard must be installed on the panel near the flap actuator for the specified Piper PA-24 models, indicating a flap extension limitation of 15 degrees to prevent asymmetric flap conditions. This directive requires compliance within 25 hours of the aircraft being in service after 16 May 1983. The directive aims to prevent accidents related to lateral control loss, as identified in the accident investigation and further detailed in the Robertson Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin 19.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, applies to the Piper PA-24 series aeroplanes, namely the models PA-24, PA-24-250, and PA-24-260, which have been modified in accordance with the FAA Supplemental Type Certificate SA2495WE (Robertson STOL modification kit). This regulation aims to prevent loss of aeroplane control due to asymmetric flap extension or retraction. The requirement under the Act is to install a placard on the panel near the flap actuator with a specific warning message, "DO NOT EXTEND FLAPS BEYOND 15 DEGREES (TAKEOFF POSITION)", for the specified aircraft models. This regulation ensures the safety of the aircraft by limiting the extension of flaps to prevent lateral control issues. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with a deadline of 25 hours of time in service after 16 May 1983. The warning placard may be removed once a positive flap retraction system is installed in accordance with Robertson Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin 19 dated 22 October 1982. This regulation is applicable within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain provisions that address the airworthiness of certain aircraft models. One such provision, AD/PA-24/42, pertains to the Piper PA-24 (Comanche) series aeroplanes that have been modified in accordance with FAA Supplemental Type Certificate SA2495WE, also known as the Robertson STOL modification kit. This airworthiness directive mandates the installation of a warning placard to prevent the potential loss of control due to asymmetric flap extension or retraction. The directive requires that a placard stating "DO NOT EXTEND FLAPS BEYOND 15 DEGREES (TAKEOFF POSITION)" be affixed to the panel near the flap actuator. This requirement is intended to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its occupants by preventing the flaps from being extended beyond a specified angle, which could lead to loss of control. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, the obligation falls upon the owners and operators of the affected aircraft to ensure compliance with AD/PA-24/42. This involves installing the required placard within 25 hours of the aircraft being in service after the directive was issued on 16 May 1983. Operators must also ensure that the warning placard remains in place until a positive flap retraction system is installed, in accordance with Robertson Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin 19 dated 22 October 1982. This proactive approach to aircraft maintenance and safety is designed to mitigate the risk of accidents that could arise from improper flap operation. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in AD/PA-24/42 may result in severe consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the directive itself, under the broader framework of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, breaches of airworthiness regulations can lead to significant penalties. These can include fines and imprisonment for individuals, and fines for corporations, reflecting the serious nature of ensuring the safety of aircraft operations. The exact penalties would depend on the severity of the breach and the specific provisions of the Act that are contravened. In summary, AD/PA-24/42 within the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 is a critical directive aimed at enhancing the safety of Piper PA-24 (Comanche) series aeroplanes that have undergone specific modifications. The directive requires the installation of a warning placard to prevent unsafe flap operations and mandates compliance within a specified timeframe. Non-compliance with such airworthiness directives can lead to substantial civil and criminal penalties, underscoring the importance of adhering to these safety measures.