COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-31/106
Amdt 2
Fuselage Station 332.0 Bulkhead 9/96
Applicability: | Models | Serial Numbers |
| PA-31T | 31T-7400002 through 31T-8120104 |
| PA-31T1 | 31T-7804001 through 31T-8104101, 31T-8304003, and 31T- 1104004 through 31T-1104007 |
| PA-31T2 | 31T-8166001 through 31T-8166032, 31T-8166034 through 31T- 8166065, 31T-8166067 through 31T-8166071, and 31T-8166073 through 31T-8166075 |
| PA-31T3 | 31T-8275001, 31T-8275003 through 31T-8275012, 31T-8275014 through 31T-8275017, 31T-8275025, and 31T-8375001 through 31T-8275005 |
Requirement: 1. Inspect in accordance with the Instructions section of Piper Service Bulletin (SB) 773A.
2. a. Reinforce the FS 332 bulkhead by incorporating Piper Kit 764-983 in accordance with the kit instructions, Revised 18 June 1990; or
b. Replace the bulkhead assembly with a reinforced bulkhead assembly, P/N 45583-16 or P/N 45583-17, in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.
Note: FAA AD 96-10-13 Amdt 39-9620 refers.
Compliance: 1. At intervals not to exceed 200 hours time in service, until Requirement 2.a. or 2.b. is accomplished.
2. Unless already accomplished, within 600 hours time in service after 15 August 1996.
The repetitive compliance of the previous issue of this Directive remains unchanged. This Amendment is effective from 15 August 1996.
Background: Reports were received of cracks in the FS 332 bulkhead, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in structural failure. Amendment 1 decreased the inspection threshold and introduced a repair kit.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Amendment 2 is issued in response to a new Country of Origin AD which requires incorporating a stabiliser forward spar attachment bulkhead reinforcement kit or installing a reinforced bulkhead assembly as terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement. The Federal Aviation Administration's policy on ageing commuter-class aircraft is to eliminate or, in certain circumstances, reduce the number of certain repetitive short-interval inspections when improved parts or modifications are available.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 16 January 1984.
Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 4 June 1984.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to regulate the operation of aircraft in Australia, ensuring that they meet safety standards and requirements. Specifically, Part 39 of these regulations addresses airworthiness directives, which are legally enforceable rules or orders issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to correct an unsafe condition on an aircraft. The problem that this legislation aims to address is the safety risk posed by structural failures in aircraft, such as cracks in the fuselage bulkhead, which could compromise the integrity of the aircraft and endanger passengers and crew. This particular airworthiness directive, Amendment 2 of AD/PA-31/106, was introduced to address reports of cracks in the FS 332 bulkhead of Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes, which could result in structural failure if left uncorrected. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the safety of these aircraft by requiring regular inspections and, if necessary, the reinforcement or replacement of the bulkhead assembly.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically Amendment 2 to AD/PA-31/106, applies to specific models of Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes identified by their serial numbers. This legislative instrument pertains to the reinforcement of the FS 332.0 bulkhead to mitigate the risk of structural failure due to reported cracks. The regulation applies to the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive does not exclude any specific entities or individuals but targets the specified aircraft models listed in the schedule. The amendment extends the application of the original directive issued on 16 January 1984, with Amendment 1 becoming effective on 4 June 1984, and Amendment 2 taking effect from 15 August 1996. Compliance requires inspections at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of service time, with definitive corrective actions to be taken within 600 hours of service after 15 August 1996. The directive can be extended or modified through subordinate instruments, ensuring continuous safety improvements and adaptations to emerging safety concerns.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, contains specific provisions for Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes. The directive in focus, AD/PA-31/106 Amendment 2, addresses the fuselage station 332.0 bulkhead (sections 1 and 2). This directive applies to certain models and serial numbers of Piper PA-31 aircraft (section 3). It mandates inspections in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin (SB) 773A, and either the incorporation of Piper Kit 764-983 or the replacement of the bulkhead assembly with a reinforced one (sections 4 and 5). Compliance requires these actions to be performed at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service and within 600 hours after 15 August 1996, unless already completed (section 6).
The obligations imposed by the directive require aircraft owners or operators to ensure that the specified inspections and repairs are performed by qualified personnel. This involves adhering to the instructions provided in the Piper Service Bulletin and the kit instructions for the reinforcement kit or the maintenance manual for the replacement assembly. Compliance must be achieved within the specified time intervals to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft (section 7).
Breach of the requirements set out in AD/PA-31/106 Amendment 2 may lead to severe consequences. Operating an aircraft that does not meet the airworthiness standards can result in enforcement actions by CASA, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. The maximum penalties for non-compliance with CASA regulations can include substantial financial penalties and legal actions against the aircraft owner or operator. It is critical to adhere to these directives to avoid such penalties and to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft (section 8).