AD/PA-25/19 - Engine Mount - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, are a comprehensive set of rules governing civil aviation in Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations includes a schedule of airworthiness directives aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft. One such directive, AD/PA-25/19, pertains to the Piper PA-25 (Pawnee) series aeroplanes, addressing a particular issue with the engine mount. This directive was introduced to tackle the problem of potential structural weaknesses in the engine mount tubes and brackets that could lead to catastrophic failure during flight. The policy objective behind this regulation is to mandate regular inspections of these critical components to ensure they remain safe for operation, thus safeguarding both the crew and passengers. The requirement is for inspections to be conducted both visually and using a dye penetrant technique at specified intervals, with the flexibility for pilots to perform and certify these inspections themselves.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives for aircraft, with a focus on ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aeroplanes. The regulation in question, AD/PA-25/19, applies to the Piper PA-25 (Pawnee) series aeroplanes, mandating critical inspections to maintain the structural integrity of the engine mount. The requirement is for visual and dye penetrant inspections of the engine mount tubes and engine mounting brackets at specified intervals, which can be conducted by authorised personnel including the pilot. This regulation is jurisdictional at the Commonwealth level and applies to all entities and individuals operating the specified model aeroplanes within Australia, ensuring compliance with safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are no exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds specified within the text, and the regulation is enforced as is, without extensions or restrictions via subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for various aircraft, including the Piper PA-25 (Pawnee) Series Aeroplanes. One such directive is AD/PA-25/19, which pertains to the inspection of the engine mount (Section 11/67). This directive applies to all models of the PA-25 and its variants. The primary requirement of this directive is to inspect the engine mount tubes for any signs of cracking, especially around the engine mounting feet, and to inspect the engine mounting brackets at the firewall for similar issues (Section 1). These inspections must be conducted at regular intervals. The visual inspection must be performed at intervals not exceeding 25 hours of time in service, while a more thorough inspection using a dye penetrant technique must occur at intervals not exceeding 250 hours of time in service (Section 1). Notably, the visual inspections can be carried out and certified by the pilot, providing flexibility in ensuring compliance with the directive (Section 1). The obligations imposed by this directive are straightforward but critical for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Operators of the Piper PA-25 must ensure that these inspections are conducted as specified. This includes performing the visual inspections within the stipulated 25-hour intervals and the more detailed dye penetrant inspections within the 250-hour intervals (Section 1). Compliance with these requirements ensures that any potential structural issues with the engine mount are identified and addressed promptly, thereby maintaining the integrity of the aircraft. Failure to adhere to the requirements outlined in AD/PA-25/19 can lead to serious consequences. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly detail specific offences or penalties within this directive, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in enforcement actions by CASA. These actions may include fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of the aircraft until the necessary inspections and repairs are completed. Such penalties underscore the importance of strict adherence to these safety regulations.