AD/PA-28/39 - Stabilator - Inspection and Drilling of Drain Holes

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, was enacted to provide detailed and comprehensive regulations governing civil aviation in Australia. One of the critical components of this Act is the Airworthiness Directives, which are designed to address safety issues and ensure that aircraft meet specific safety standards. The directive AD/PA-28/39, focusing on Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes, was introduced to address issues related to the stabilator, specifically requiring the inspection and drilling of drain holes. This directive applies to various models of the Piper PA-28 series, including the PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, PA-28-180, PA-28R-180, PA-28R-200, and PA-28-235. Compliance with this directive is mandated within 100 hours of time in service after the directive's issuance on 29 September 1972. The objective of this directive, as part of the overarching Civil Aviation Regulations, is to enhance the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft models by preventing issues associated with the stabilator. The enactment of these regulations by the Commonwealth of Australia aims to ensure that all civil aviation activities in Australia adhere to stringent safety standards, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the application of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of aircraft operations within Australia. The AD/PA-28/39 pertains to the Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes, including models PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, PA-28-180, PA-28R-180, PA-28R-200, and PA-28-235, as outlined in Piper Service Letter No. 615. This directive mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after its issuance date of 29 September 1972. The AD focuses on the stabilator, requiring inspection and the drilling of drain holes to address potential safety issues. The regulations apply nationally, ensuring that all aircraft operators within the Commonwealth of Australia adhere to these safety standards. No specific exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds are mentioned in the text, and the application is direct without reliance on subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes specific requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of certain aircraft models. One such directive, AD/PA-28/39, applies to Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes, specifically models PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, PA-28-180, PA-28R-180, PA-28R-200, and PA-28-235. This directive, issued under Piper SL No. 615, mandates inspections and the drilling of drain holes in the stabilator to ensure the continued safety of these aircraft models. Under section 39.105, the directive requires that inspections and the necessary modifications be carried out within 100 hours of time in service after the directive's effective date, which was 29 September 1972. The primary focus of this directive is to prevent potential structural failures in the stabilator by ensuring that any accumulated water can be effectively drained, thereby avoiding issues such as corrosion or imbalance that could compromise the aircraft’s control surfaces. Aircraft operators, maintenance providers, and other relevant parties must adhere to these requirements to ensure compliance with Australian aviation safety standards. Specifically, they are obligated to conduct the specified inspections and drilling of drain holes as outlined in the directive. This involves a thorough examination of the stabilator to identify any necessary modifications and ensuring that these modifications are performed correctly and documented according to the CASA standards. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in AD/PA-28/39 can result in significant consequences. If an aircraft is found to be non-compliant, the operator may face enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Such actions can include fines, the imposition of civil penalties, and potentially criminal charges for serious breaches. The specific penalties depend on the severity of the non-compliance and the circumstances surrounding the breach, but they can include substantial financial penalties and possible imprisonment for individuals found guilty of criminal offences.