AD/PA-28/57 - Nose Landing Gear Trunnion - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which is pivotal in ensuring the safety of aviation operations in Australia. This legislative instrument was enacted to address the need for stringent safety measures within the aviation sector, particularly in relation to the Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes, by mandating regular inspections and maintenance to prevent potential failures and ensure airworthiness. The regulations were enacted by the Australian Parliament and are overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, whose policy objective is to maintain the highest possible standards of safety in civil aviation through the implementation of rigorous airworthiness directives. The regulations cover a specific directive (AD/PA-28/57) concerning the nose landing gear trunnion of Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes, specifically targeting models 28R-200 with certain serial numbers and those that have had their nose landing gear trunnion assembly replaced since August 1975. The directive mandates a compliance timeline within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1976, as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 510, to ensure that all affected aircraft meet the required safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-28/57, published under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, applies specifically to certain models of Piper PA-28 series aeroplanes. This legislation mandates inspections on the nose landing gear trunnion of these aircraft. The directive targets aeroplanes with specific serial numbers, namely those within the series 28R-200 with serial numbers ranging from 7635001 to 7635249, 7635251 to 7635299, 7635302 to 7635318, and 7635321, as well as any PA-28R-180 and PA-28R-200 models that have had their nose landing gear trunnion assembly P/N 67054-00V replaced since August 1975. The directive must be complied with within 100 hours of the aeroplanes' time in service after 31 August 1976, ensuring that safety standards are met through the required inspections detailed in Piper Service Bulletin No. 510. This regulation underscores the importance of ongoing maintenance and adherence to specified safety standards within the aviation industry.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the Airworthiness Directives (AD) for certain aircraft models, including the Piper PA-28 series aeroplanes. The relevant Airworthiness Directive in question, AD/PA-28/57, pertains to the nose landing gear trunnion inspection of specific Piper PA-28 models (section 39-105). The directive applies to all model 28R-200 with serial numbers ranging from 7635001 to 7635249, 7635251 to 7635299, 7635302 to 7635318, and 7635321. It also applies to all PA-28R-180 and PA-28R-200 models that have had their nose landing gear trunnion assembly P/N 67054-00V replaced since August 1975 (section 39-105(1)). Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1976, as detailed in Piper Service Bulletin No. 510 (section 39-105(2)). The Civil Aviation Regulations impose specific obligations on the parties and entities governed by these directives. Owners and operators of the affected Piper PA-28 models must ensure that the nose landing gear trunnion is inspected as per the requirements outlined in the AD/PA-28/57 directive (section 39-105(3)). This involves a thorough examination of the trunnion to identify any signs of wear, damage, or other issues that could affect the airworthiness of the aircraft. The regulations require these inspections to be conducted by qualified personnel and documented appropriately to demonstrate compliance (section 39-105(4)). Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding and other regulatory actions. Violations of the Civil Aviation Regulations, including failure to comply with Airworthiness Directives, can result in significant consequences. The Act provides for both civil and criminal penalties for breaches. Civil penalties may include fines of up to $21,000 for individuals and $105,000 for corporations, as outlined in the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (section 46-1(1)). Additionally, criminal penalties can apply, with individuals potentially facing imprisonment for up to two years and corporations facing fines of up to $1,050,000, as stipulated in the Act (section 46-1(2)). These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the regulatory requirements to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia.