AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-24/44 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-24/44
Amdt 1
Main Landing Gear Side Brace Stud 9/2002
Applicability: Models PA24, PA24-250, PA-24-260, and PA24-400 aircraft.
Requirement: Remove both the left and right main gear side brace studs from the aircraft in accordance with the instructions contained in the Landing Gear section of the maintenance manual, and inspect each main gear side brace stud for cracks using fluorescent penetrant or magnetic particle inspection methods. Figure 1 of this Directive depicts the area where the sidebrace stud is to be inspected.
Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-24/44 Amdt 1 (continued)
This figure is provided to depict the area of the sidebrace stud to be inspected. This is not intended to represent the configuration of all models affected.
Note 1: All affected Models PA24 and PA24-250 aircraft were equipped at manufacture with part number 20829-00 main gear side brace studs. All affected Models PA24-260 and PA24-400 aircraft were equipped at manufacture with part number 22512-00 main gear side brace studs.
For any main gear side brace stud found cracked, replace the cracked stud with an approved serviceable part in accordance with the instructions contained in the Landing Gear section of the applicable maintenance manual.
Note 2: FAA AD 97-01-01 R1 Amdt 39-10864 refers.
Compliance: Within the next 100 hours time in service after 4 January 1996, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 hours time in service.
The original compliance times of this Airworthiness Directive are unchanged by this amendme nt.
This amendment becomes effective on 5 September 2002.
Background: The FAA received reports of main gear side brace stud cracks, including seven incidents where the main landing gear collapsed. The actions specified by this Directive are intended to prevent a main gear collapse caused by main gear side brace stud cracks, which could result in loss of control of the aircraft during landing operations.
Amendment 1 updates the FAA AD reference.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 4 January 1996.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 July 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 August 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-24/44 Amendment 1 in 2002, specifically targeting Piper PA-24 Comanche series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the safety concerns associated with main gear side brace stud cracks, which had previously led to multiple incidents of main gear collapse and potential loss of aircraft control during landing operations. The AD was issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, with the aim of ensuring the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft by mandating regular inspections and necessary repairs. The directive requires the removal and inspection of main gear side brace studs for cracks and their replacement if any damage is detected. Compliance with this AD is mandated within 100 hours of time in service after 4 January 1996 and at intervals not exceeding 1,000 hours thereafter. This amendment updates the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD reference to ensure alignment with international safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to the Piper PA-24 Comanche series aeroplanes, including models PA24, PA24-250, PA-24-260, and PA24-400. The directive mandates the removal and inspection of both the left and right main gear side brace studs for any signs of cracks using specified inspection methods, as outlined in the Landing Gear section of the applicable maintenance manual. The directive requires that any cracked stud be replaced with an approved serviceable part. This AD applies to aircraft in service, with a compliance requirement within the next 100 hours time in service after 4 January 1996, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 1,000 hours time in service. The directive was amended on 5 September 2002, updating the FAA AD reference and maintaining the original compliance times. The AD, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority delegate, was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 August 2002.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-24/44 Amdt 1, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, outlines specific requirements for Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes, particularly concerning the main landing gear side brace studs. The AD applies to models PA24, PA24-250, PA-24-260, and PA24-400 (Section 2). The directive mandates that the left and right main gear side brace studs be removed from the aircraft and inspected for cracks using fluorescent penetrant or magnetic particle inspection methods (Section 3). Any stud found to be cracked must be replaced with an approved serviceable part according to the instructions in the Landing Gear section of the maintenance manual. This inspection and replacement process must be conducted within the next 100 hours of time in service after 4 January 1996 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 1,000 hours (Section 4).
The AD imposes several obligations on the aircraft operators and maintenance personnel. Operators must ensure that the specified inspections and maintenance actions are performed according to the outlined procedures and timelines. Maintenance personnel are required to follow the detailed instructions in the maintenance manual to inspect and, if necessary, replace the main gear side brace studs. The AD also specifies that operators must document the compliance with the AD in the aircraft's maintenance records (Section 5).
Failure to comply with the AD may result in serious safety hazards, including the potential for main gear collapse during landing, which could lead to loss of control of the aircraft. The AD does not specify any particular criminal or civil penalties for non-compliance, but it is likely that non-compliance could result in regulatory action by CASA, including potential grounding of the aircraft until the required maintenance is performed. The AD emphasizes the importance of adhering to the specified maintenance intervals to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft (Section 6).