COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-28/13
Amdt 3
Aileron and Stabilator Balance Weight Assembly and Rudder Horn Assembly - Inspection
8/80
Applicability: All models PA-28-140, -150, -160, -180 and -235 with S/Nos. referenced in Piper SB No. 240.
Requirement: 1. Inspect in accordance with Piper SB No. 240 and take necessary action as called up in Service Bulletin.
2. Remove the wing tips and visually inspect the aileron balance weight arms and attachments for cracks.
Compliance: For Para. 1 - Aircraft which have achieved 2 years since date of manufacture, within 100 hours time in service after 31 August 1980 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 2 years time in service.
For Para. 2 - Within 200 hours time in service after 31 August 1980 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 200 hours time in service.
Note: Compliance with previous issue of this AD constitutes compliance with this AD.
Background: Aileron balance weight support tubes have exhibited instances of internal corrosion and subsequent separation. Stabilator and rudder balance assemblies have demonstrated a tendency to work loose in service. This amendment references the specific affected aeroplanes and simplifies compliance statement.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, addresses the safety requirements for civil aviation, including directives for airworthiness and maintenance of aircraft. One such directive, AD/PA-28/13, pertains to the Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes and was introduced to address issues with the aileron and stabilator balance weight assemblies and the rudder horn assembly. The directive was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and aims to mitigate the risks associated with internal corrosion and loosening of balance weight assemblies. The amendment referenced in this directive simplifies the compliance statements, ensuring that operators of affected models such as the PA-28-140, -150, -160, -180, and -235 within specified serial numbers perform necessary inspections and corrective actions as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 240. This ensures the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft, particularly focusing on inspections within set time intervals post-manufacture or service hours.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulates the airworthiness of aircraft within Australia through the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39, which encompasses the Airworthiness Directives. One such directive, AD/PA-28/13 Amendment 3, pertains to the inspection of the aileron and stabilator balance weight assembly and the rudder horn assembly for Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes, including models PA-28-140, -150, -160, -180, and -235. This directive applies to aircraft with serial numbers referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 240, which highlights issues such as internal corrosion of aileron balance weight support tubes and loosening of stabilator and rudder balance assemblies. The requirement mandates inspections and corrective actions as outlined in the service bulletin, necessitating the removal of wing tips to visually inspect aileron balance weight arms and attachments for cracks. Compliance must be achieved within specific time intervals post-manufacture or flight hours, with initial inspections occurring within 100 hours or two years for aileron and stabilator inspections, and within 200 hours for rudder horn inspections. The directive ensures that compliance with previous versions of the airworthiness directive satisfies the requirements of this amendment.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this piece of legislation (AD/PA-28/13 Amendment 3) pertain to the inspection and maintenance requirements for specific Piper PA-28 series aeroplanes. Section 1 of the directive requires an inspection of the aileron and stabilator balance weight assembly and rudder horn assembly in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 240, and mandates any necessary action as specified in the bulletin (s. 1). Section 2 mandates that the wing tips be removed to visually inspect the aileron balance weight arms and their attachments for cracks (s. 2).
The obligations imposed by the Act are primarily concerned with ensuring the safety of the specified aircraft. Operators of the affected Piper PA-28 models must ensure that the inspections are carried out in a timely manner and in accordance with the specified bulletin. For aircraft that have been in service for two years since manufacture, inspections must be completed within 100 hours after 31 August 1980 and then at intervals not exceeding two years (s. 1). For other aircraft, inspections must be conducted within 200 hours after 31 August 1980 and then at intervals not exceeding 200 hours (s. 2).
Failure to comply with these provisions may result in safety issues, including potential structural failure of the aeroplane. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not specify penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives, non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory actions. Operators must be aware that CASA has the authority to take enforcement action against non-compliance, and the consequences can be severe, including potential criminal charges if the non-compliance results in a serious safety incident.