AD/PA-28/87 - Stabilator Attach Fitting Corrosion

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B05641, address the specific issue of corrosion in the stabilator attach fittings of Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes. This legislative instrument was enacted to ensure that all Piper PA-28 models comply with the stabilator attach fitting corrosion requirements specified in Piper Service Bulletin No 856. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as the enacting body, aimed to enhance aviation safety by mandating regular inspections and maintenance to prevent severe corrosion, which could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft. Compliance with these directives is required at the next scheduled inspection following 7 May 1987 and at intervals not exceeding one year thereafter, ensuring ongoing safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to all persons and entities involved in the maintenance and operation of aircraft within Australia, particularly focusing on ensuring the airworthiness of these aircraft. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes directives for various aircraft types, such as the Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes. This regulation mandates that all models listed in Piper Service Bulletin No 856 must comply with the directive regarding stabilator attach fitting corrosion as outlined in AD/PA-28/87. Compliance is required at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue after 7 May 1987 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding one year. The directive is a response to instances of severe corrosion reported between the steel attach fittings and the fuselage structure, necessitating corrective action to ensure continued safe operation of the aircraft. The regulations extend to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, thereby applying uniformly across state and territory boundaries, ensuring a consistent standard of aircraft safety and maintenance.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the issue of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. One such directive, AD/PA-28/87, pertains to the stabilator attach fitting corrosion in Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes (subsection 39.105(1)). This directive requires aircraft owners or operators to take specific actions as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No 856 (subsection 39.105(2)). The directive applies to all models listed in the aforementioned service bulletin and demands compliance with the specified maintenance requirements (subsection 39.105(3)). Aircraft operators must adhere to the compliance schedule stipulated in the directive. The stabilator attach fitting must be inspected and maintained in accordance with Piper SB No 856 at the next scheduled inspection following 7 May 1987, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding one year (subsection 39.105(4)). This means that operators must ensure the stabilator attach fittings are free from corrosion and are structurally sound. The directive is critical to preventing severe corrosion between the steel attach fittings and the fuselage structure, which the manufacturer has reported as a significant safety concern (subsection 39.105(5)). Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/PA-28/87 can result in significant consequences. Operators who do not adhere to the maintenance and inspection requirements may face enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The Act provides for both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with ADs. Civil penalties can include fines up to the statutory maximum of $21,000 for individuals and $105,000 for corporations (subsection 10.1(1)). Criminal penalties are also applicable, with potential fines of up to $1,100,000 and imprisonment for up to five years for serious breaches (subsection 10.1(2)). Additionally, non-compliance may result in the grounding of the affected aircraft, which can severely impact the operator's ability to conduct flight operations (subsection 39.105(6)).