AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-30/34 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Piper PA-30 & 39 (Twin Comanche) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-30/34
Amdt 1
Main Landing Gear Side Brace Stud 9/2002
Applicability: Models PA30 and PA39 aircraft.
Requirement: Remove both the left and right main gear side brace studs from the aircraft in accordance with the instructions contained in the Landing Gear section of the maintenance manual, and inspect each main gear side brace stud for cracks using fluorescent penetrant or magnetic particle inspection methods. Figure 1 of this Directive depicts the area where the sidebrace stud is to be inspected.
Figure 1
Piper PA-30 & 39 (Twin Comanche) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-30/34 Amdt 1 (continued)
This figure is provided to depict the area of the sidebrace stud to be inspected. This is not intended to represent the configuration of all models affected.
Note 1: All affected Models PA30 and PA39 aircraft were equipped at manufacture with part number 22512-00 main gear side brace studs.
For any main gear side brace stud found cracked, replace the cracked stud with an approved serviceable part in accordance with the instructions contained in the Landing Gear section of the applicable maintenance manual.
Note 2: FAA AD 97-01-01 R1 Amdt 39-10864 refers.
Compliance: Within the next 100 hours time in service after 4 January 1996, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 hours time in service.
The original compliance times of this Airworthiness Directive are unchanged by this amendment.
This amendment becomes effective on 5 September 2002.
Background: The FAA received reports of main gear side brace stud cracks, including seven incidents where the main landing gear collapsed. The actions specified by this Directive are intended to prevent a main gear collapse caused by main gear side brace stud cracks, which could result in loss of control of the aircraft during landing operations.
Amendment 1 updates the FAA AD reference.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 4 January 1996.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 July 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 August 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-30/34 to address safety concerns regarding the main gear side brace studs of Piper PA-30 and PA-39 (Twin Comanche) Series Aeroplanes. Enacted in 1996 and subsequently amended in 2002, this directive was established in response to reports of main gear side brace stud cracks, including incidents of main landing gear collapse, which posed significant risks during landing operations. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate regular inspection and replacement of the main gear side brace studs to prevent potential aircraft accidents. CASA, as the delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, revoked the previous directive and issued this new AD to ensure compliance with safety standards and protect the integrity of the aircraft's landing gear system.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-30/34 applies to all Piper PA30 and PA39 (Twin Comanche) series aeroplanes. This legislation is issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and is applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia. The AD mandates specific actions to address an identified unsafe condition related to the main landing gear side brace studs of these aircraft models. The directive requires the removal and inspection of the left and right main gear side brace studs for cracks, as well as the replacement of any cracked studs with approved serviceable parts, to be performed in accordance with the instructions in the relevant maintenance manuals. The directive stipulates compliance within 100 hours of time in service following 4 January 1996, and then at intervals not exceeding 1,000 hours of time in service thereafter. The AD aims to prevent main gear collapse due to stud cracks, which could potentially result in loss of control during landing operations. The specific requirements and compliance timelines are detailed in the directive, which was issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 August 2002.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) in question, AD/PA-30/34 Amendment 1, applies specifically to Piper PA-30 and PA-39 (Twin Comanche) Series aeroplanes. It mandates that the left and right main gear side brace studs must be removed and inspected for cracks using either fluorescent penetrant or magnetic particle inspection methods, as outlined in the requirement section. The AD is effective from 5 September 2002, and it requires compliance within the next 100 hours time in service after 4 January 1996, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 hours time in service.
Operators of PA-30 and PA-39 aircraft must adhere to the outlined inspection and replacement procedures for the main gear side brace studs. This includes removing the side brace studs as per the instructions in the Landing Gear section of the maintenance manual and inspecting them for any signs of cracks. If any stud is found to be cracked, it must be replaced with an approved serviceable part, again following the relevant instructions in the maintenance manual. These actions are imperative to ensure the structural integrity of the main landing gear and to prevent potential catastrophic failures during flight operations.
Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive can result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement action against operators who do not adhere to the requirements. Such enforcement actions can include fines, suspension, or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, which would render the aircraft ineligible to fly commercially or in public airspace. The penalties for non-compliance can be significant, both financially and operationally, and may also lead to criminal charges if the non-compliance results in an accident or endangers public safety.