AD/PA-28/48 - Outer Wing Spar - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, incorporates the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives to ensure the safety of aircraft operations in Australia. This legislative instrument was enacted to address specific safety issues and ensure compliance with safety standards for civil aviation. The regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which is responsible for maintaining and enforcing the standards set forth to ensure the safety and efficiency of aviation activities within Australia. The overarching policy objective is to ensure that all aircraft operated within Australian airspace adhere to stringent safety requirements, thereby minimising the risk of accidents and ensuring the highest standards of aviation safety. One specific example of these regulations in action is Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-28/48, which pertains to the Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the issue of improperly formed lightening holes in the outer wing spars of certain PA-28-235 models, specifically those with serial numbers ranging from 28-7410001 to 28-7410090. The directive mandates a thorough inspection of these areas to detect any die stamping marks or cracks in the lightening hole flange radius, with specific remedial actions required if any deficiencies are found. Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 10 hours of the aircraft being in service after 17 September 1974, underscoring the importance of prompt adherence to safety directives to maintain the integrity and safety of the aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies to the maintenance and safety of aircraft operating within Australia. This particular legislation focuses on the Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes, more precisely, the models PA-28-235 with serial numbers ranging from 28-7410001 to 28-7410090. It mandates a detailed inspection of the outer wing spars to detect improperly formed lightening holes, ensuring that these aeroplanes meet the required safety standards. The regulations stipulate specific steps for the inspection and, if necessary, the replacement or repair of the affected parts. Compliance with these directives must be achieved within 10 hours of the aeroplane being in service after the directive was issued on 17 September 1974. The legislation applies to all relevant aircraft within Australia, overseen by CASA to maintain airworthiness and safety standards across the Commonwealth.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, mandate specific procedures for the inspection and potential repair of the outer wing spars on Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes. The focus of these regulations, detailed under AD/PA-28/48, is to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft models by addressing improperly formed lightening holes (section 10/74). To comply with these regulations, the inspection plate adjacent to the aileron bellcrank on the lower surface of the wing must be removed, and both sides of the left and right wing spars should be inspected around the first lightening hole outboard of the fish mouth of the main spar splice (section 1(a) and (b)). Furthermore, the lightening hole flange radius must be checked for any signs of cracks (section 1(c)). If the inspection reveals a square die stamping mark only on the aft side of the spar and there are no cracks in the flange radii, no further action is required (section 2). However, if the mark is present on the forward side of the spar or if there are cracks in the flange radii, the outboard spar must either be replaced with a serviceable one of the same part number or repaired according to a scheme approved by the Secretary (section 3). Compliance with these directives must be achieved within 10 hours of time in service after 17 September 1974. The obligations imposed by these regulations on the parties and entities governed by them include the meticulous inspection of specified parts of the outer wing spars and the subsequent actions dictated by the findings of that inspection. Operators of Piper PA-28-235 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 28-7410001 to 28-7410090 must ensure that the required inspections are conducted promptly and that any identified issues are addressed according to the regulations. This involves the removal and inspection of the inspection plate, a thorough examination of the spar surfaces for die stamping marks and cracks, and, if necessary, the replacement or repair of the spars in line with the approved schemes. Compliance must be achieved within the specified timeframe to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft, ensuring the safety of all persons on board. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/PA-28/48, can result in significant legal and safety consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce these regulations and can impose penalties on entities that do not adhere to the prescribed inspection and repair procedures. The potential consequences of non-compliance may include civil penalties, such as fines, and criminal charges for operators who fail to ensure the airworthiness of their aircraft. The specific penalties are not detailed in the text but can include substantial financial penalties and potential imprisonment, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance. Ensuring strict adherence to these regulations is crucial to avoid these adverse outcomes.