AD/PA-28/93 - Flap Handle Attach Bolt

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), part of the legislative framework overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safe operation of civil aviation in Australia. One of the directives under these regulations, AD/PA-28/93, was introduced to address the safety issue of worn flap handle attach bolts and elongated holes in the flap lever to cable mounting attach point in Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes. This directive was issued following reports that such failures could lead to a sudden retraction of the flaps and consequent loss of control. The policy objective is to ensure that these aircraft remain airworthy and compliant with safety standards by enforcing timely inspections and necessary repairs. The directive specifies that compliance is required upon the accumulation of 2,000 hours of time in service or within 100 hours of time in service after 15 August 1996, whichever is later. It mandates specific modifications, such as enlarging the cable mounting attach hole to 0.316 of an inch, replacing the flap lever handle if necessary, installing a new bushing, replacing the flap lever handle attach bolt, and inspecting and replacing damaged washers, nuts, and cotter pins. This directive aims to mitigate the risk of in-flight failures by ensuring that all specified components are either correctly sized or replaced with approved parts.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandates the application of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) concerning Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes, including models PA28-140, PA28-150, PA28-160, PA28-180, PA28-151, PA28-161, PA28-181, PA28-235, PA28-236, PA28-201T, PA28R-180, PA28R-200, PA28R-201, PA28R-201T, PA28RT-201, and PA28RT-201T, within specific serial number ranges. This legislation applies to aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel who must comply with the outlined directives to ensure the airworthiness of these aeroplanes. The regulations have a national reach throughout Australia, enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive mandates specific maintenance actions, including measuring and enlarging the cable mounting attach hole to 0.316 inches, installing a new bushing, replacing the flap lever handle attach bolt with a clevis bolt, and inspecting and replacing damaged washers, nuts, and cotter pins if necessary. Compliance must be achieved upon reaching 2,000 hours of time in service or within 100 hours after 15 August 1996, whichever is later. The ADs do not exempt any aircraft within the specified serial number ranges and require adherence to the instructions detailed in Piper Service Bulletin 965. The authority to enforce these directives extends through subordinate instruments, ensuring consistent application across the industry.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, outlines an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes, addressing a critical safety issue with the flap handle attach bolt. The directive, AD/PA-28/93, mandates several corrective actions to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft. Firstly, it requires measuring the diameter of the cable mounting attach hole and enlarging it to 0.316 inches if necessary. If the hole is already larger than 0.316 inches, the flap lever handle must be replaced. This action is detailed in Piper Service Bulletin 965. Secondly, a new bushing must be installed using Piper part number 63900-174. Thirdly, the flap lever handle attach bolt must be replaced with a new clevis bolt, either Piper part number 400 673 or standard part number AN23-11. Lastly, the washer, nut, and cotter pin must be inspected and replaced if damaged, with specified part numbers provided for replacement parts. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and require compliance by the aircraft owners or operators. They must ensure that the specified maintenance actions are completed within the stipulated timeframes. For aircraft of the specified models, the corrective actions must be undertaken upon the accumulation of 2,000 hours of time in service or within 100 hours of time in service after 15 August 1996, whichever comes later. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to operational prohibitions and legal repercussions. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this Airworthiness Directive can lead to serious consequences. The directive stems from reports of worn flap handle attach bolts and elongated holes in the flap lever to cable mounting attach point, which could cause a sudden retraction of the flaps and result in loss of control. Therefore, non-compliance not only poses a significant safety risk but also carries legal implications. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement actions against non-compliant aircraft, which could include grounding the aircraft, imposing fines, or even pursuing criminal charges in cases of gross negligence or willful disregard of safety regulations. The maximum penalties for such violations are determined by the severity of the breach and can include substantial financial penalties and potential imprisonment for responsible individuals.