AD/PA-25/16 Amdt 2 - Tail Wheel Spring Bolts - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, are an extensive set of rules governing the safety and operation of civil aviation within Australia. One aspect of these regulations is the scheduling of Airworthiness Directives (ADs), which are critical in ensuring that aircraft meet specific safety standards. AD/PA-25/16 Amendment 2 pertains to the Piper PA-25 (Pawnee) series aeroplanes and mandates the replacement of specific tail wheel spring bolts to maintain airworthiness and safety. This directive was introduced to address potential safety issues related to the integrity of the tail wheel assembly in certain variants of the Piper PA-25 aeroplanes. The policy objective of this regulation is to ensure that all covered aircraft maintain a high standard of safety by adhering to the specified maintenance requirements. The directive applies to models PA-25 and PA-25-235, and their variants, that are not fitted with two bolts retaining the tail wheel assembly to the spring or modified to an approved alternative scheme. Compliance with this directive requires the replacement of the AN6-25A bolt at the front of the spring and the AN7-21A bolt securing the tail wheel assembly to the spring with new bolts of the same type. The directive aims to ensure that these critical components are maintained and replaced at intervals not exceeding 35 hours of time in service after 1 September 1971, thereby minimising the risk of in-flight failures and ensuring the continued safety of the aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105 concerning Airworthiness Directives, sets forth detailed requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft within Australia, with this particular legislative instrument focusing on the Piper PA-25 series aeroplanes. This Act applies to all PA-25 and PA-25-235 models and their variants, excluding those that are not fitted with two bolts retaining the tail wheel assembly to the spring or that have not been modified according to an alternative scheme approved by the Secretary. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, as it is a Commonwealth instrument. Compliance with the directive mandates the replacement of specified tail wheel spring bolts at intervals not exceeding 35 hours of time in service after 1 September 1971. The directive specifies that the AN6-25A bolt at the front of the spring must be replaced with a new AN6-25A bolt, and the AN7-21A bolt securing the tail wheel assembly to the spring must also be replaced with a new AN7-21A bolt. Additionally, the replacement of the AN6 bolt at the front of the spring with an AN7 bolt and the AN7 bolt securing the tail wheel assembly with an AN8 bolt constitutes an approved alternative scheme.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, relate to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for Piper PA-25 (Pawnee) series aeroplanes. This directive, AD/PA-25/16 Amendment 2, focuses on the replacement of specific tail wheel spring bolts. According to section 9/70, this directive applies to model PA-25 and model PA-25-235 aeroplanes, and variants that are not fitted with two bolts retaining the tail wheel assembly to the spring or modified to an alternative scheme approved by the Secretary. The directive mandates two specific actions to ensure compliance with airworthiness standards (section 1). Firstly, the AN6-25A bolt that secures the front of the spring must be replaced with a new AN6-25A bolt. Secondly, the AN7-21A bolt securing the tail wheel assembly to the spring must also be replaced with a new AN7-21A bolt. The note clarifies that replacing the AN6 bolt with an AN7 bolt and the AN7 bolt with an AN8 bolt is an acceptable alternative scheme if approved by the Secretary. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and straightforward. Owners or operators of the specified aircraft must ensure that the required bolt replacements are carried out in accordance with the stipulated timeframes. Compliance with these directives is crucial to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft, ensuring that safety standards are met and maintained. Failure to adhere to these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential grounding and significant safety risks. In terms of penalties and consequences, while the regulations themselves do not specify explicit penalties for non-compliance with these directives, any failure to comply with airworthiness directives can lead to severe repercussions under broader aviation safety laws. These can include enforcement actions by CASA, such as fines, suspension of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, or even criminal charges in cases of gross negligence or deliberate non-compliance. The severity of penalties can vary, but they are designed to enforce strict adherence to safety regulations to protect the public and ensure the highest standards of aviation safety.