AD/PA-28/90 - Nose Gear Drag Link

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, are a comprehensive set of rules governing all aspects of civil aviation within Australia. This legislation was introduced to address the need for stringent safety standards in the aviation industry, ensuring the protection of passengers, crew, and the general public. One specific legislative instrument, F2006B05645, pertains to airworthiness directives for certain Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes, specifically targeting issues identified with the nose gear drag link. This instrument aims to rectify the problem of nose gear collapse by mandating the incorporation of a specified nose landing gear modification kit, as outlined in AD/PA-28/90. The policy objective is to enhance aircraft safety and prevent potential accidents arising from structural failures in the nose gear assembly. Compliance with these directives is crucial, requiring the modification to be completed within 100 hours of time in service after the directive's issuance date of 15 September 1994.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. This particular AD/PA-28/90 applies to Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes with specific model and serial numbers, namely PA28R-180, PA28R-200, PA28R-201, PA28R-201T, PA28RT-201, and PA28RT-201T, with designated serial number ranges. The directive necessitates the incorporation of the Nose Landing Gear Modification Kit, Piper Part No. 764-377, which includes a close tolerance bolt, four bearings, and other necessary hardware for installation on the drag link assembly. This modification is intended to replace the existing AN4-20 bolt with a NAS464P4-27 bolt to prevent collapse of the nose gear. Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 100 hours of time in service after 15 September 1994, following reports of nose gear failures due to bolt failure. The directive extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and is not subject to exclusions or exemptions as per the specified requirements.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandate the incorporation of a nose landing gear modification kit for certain Piper PA-28 series aeroplanes (Sections relevant to these requirements are AD/PA-28/90). The modification pertains to specific model serial numbers of the PA-28R-180, PA-28R-200, PA-28R-201, PA-28R-201T, PA28RT-201, and PA28RT-201T models, with serial numbers ranging from 28R-30004 through 28R-8231009. The regulation requires the installation of a Nose Landing Gear Modification Kit, Piper Part No. 764-377, which includes a close tolerance bolt (NAS464P4-27), four bearings, and associated hardware for the drag link assembly. This modification is to replace the existing AN4-20 bolt connecting the upper and lower drag links, which has been the subject of reported failures. The obligations imposed by these regulations on the parties involved include adhering to the prescribed timeframes and procedures outlined in the modification kit instructions. Operators and owners of the specified Piper PA-28 series aeroplanes must ensure that the modification is carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 15 September 1994. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in the aeroplane not meeting airworthiness standards, potentially leading to operational restrictions or grounding. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 also outline potential consequences for non-compliance with the airworthiness directive. Any breaches of these requirements could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The regulatory framework provides for both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines up to a specified amount as determined by the regulations, while criminal penalties could involve imprisonment, depending on the severity and intent of the breach. The exact penalties are not explicitly stated in the provided text but are typically detailed in the broader regulatory context.