COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-25 (Pawnee) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-25/32 Fuselage Structure - Inspection 8/73
Applicability: All models PA-25-235 with S/Nos. 25-02 and 25-2000 to 25-3731.
Requirement: Inspect the RH and LH 3/4 inch upper longerons, P/N 64001-13 and -14 located in the bay forward of the wing lift strut fitting for cracks using an approved dye penetrant technique and a glass of at least 10X power.
Compliance: Not later than next major inspection completed after 31 August 1973 unless already accomplished in previous 12 months.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, established by the Australian Parliament, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. This legislative instrument, F2006B05568, specifically addresses the Piper PA-25 (Pawnee) Series Aeroplanes, and its Airworthiness Directives are designed to rectify identified safety issues. The policy objective of this directive, AD/PA-25/32, is to mandate a specific inspection procedure for the fuselage structure of certain Piper PA-25 models, specifically those with serial numbers between 25-02 and 25-3731. This directive seeks to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft by requiring an inspection of the right and left-hand 3/4 inch upper longerons for any cracks, using an approved dye penetrant technique and a magnifying glass of at least 10X power. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be completed by the next major inspection following 31 August 1973, or within the previous 12 months if already conducted.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertains to the operation and maintenance of aircraft within the Australian jurisdiction, and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces these regulations. This particular legislative instrument, AD/PA-25/32, applies to Piper PA-25 (Pawnee) series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 25-02 to 25-3731, excluding 25-2000. The directive mandates that the fuselage structure, particularly the right and left 3/4 inch upper longerons, be inspected for cracks using an approved dye penetrant technique and a magnifying glass of at least 10X power. The inspection must be conducted no later than the next major inspection following 31 August 1973, unless it has already been performed within the preceding twelve months. This regulation ensures that specific models of Piper PA-25 aeroplanes maintain airworthiness by adhering to stringent inspection requirements, thereby enhancing safety standards in civil aviation within Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Piper PA-25 (Pawnee) Series Aeroplanes. The directive, AD/PA-25/32, pertains to the fuselage structure and mandates an inspection of the RH (right-hand) and LH (left-hand) 3/4 inch upper longerons, P/N 64001-13 and -14, located in the bay forward of the wing lift strut fitting. This inspection (section 8/73) is to be conducted for cracks using an approved dye penetrant technique and a glass of at least 10X power.
This AD applies to all models PA-25-235 with serial numbers ranging from 25-02 to 25-3731. The compliance requirement is that the inspection must be completed no later than the next major inspection following 31 August 1973, unless the inspection has already been performed within the previous 12 months. This means that the aircraft operators or maintenance providers must ensure that the specified fuselage components are inspected in accordance with the outlined methods and within the stipulated timeframe to maintain airworthiness.
The obligations imposed by this AD on the parties or entities it governs include the responsibility to perform the inspection using the specified techniques and tools. Operators of the affected Piper PA-25 aircraft must ensure that the inspection is carried out by qualified personnel who are familiar with the use of dye penetrant inspection methods and have access to the necessary magnification equipment. Additionally, maintenance records must be updated to reflect that the inspection has been performed, providing a documented trail of compliance with the AD.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in AD/PA-25/32 can lead to serious consequences. The AD does not explicitly state penalties, but non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions can include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory penalties. Additionally, failure to adhere to these safety directives can compromise the safety of the aircraft, potentially leading to criminal charges if negligence results in accidents or harm. Therefore, adhering to these requirements is crucial for maintaining the safety and legality of the aircraft operation.