AD/PA-31/115 Amdt 1 - Main Landing Gear Forward Side Brace (PA-31T3)

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), address the critical issue of aircraft safety by providing detailed regulations for the maintenance and operation of aircraft within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105, which includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs), serves to ensure that aircraft maintain their airworthiness through adherence to prescribed maintenance schedules and procedures. One such directive, AD/PA-31/115 Amendment 1, targets the Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, focusing on the main landing gear forward side braces to mitigate the risk of cracking and potential landing gear collapse. This directive was introduced to address the identified problem of cracking in the main landing gear forward side braces of PA-31T3 model aeroplanes, with the overarching policy objective of enhancing flight safety by mandating inspections and retirements as per the manufacturer’s service bulletin. The directive requires inspections prior to exceeding 500 hours of component time in service and at intervals not exceeding 50 hours thereafter, or whenever the landing gear operates at speeds exceeding the maximum specified in the Aircraft Flight Manual.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, governs the requirements for airworthiness directives, with AD/PA-31/115 Amendment 1 being pertinent to the Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes, particularly the PA-31T3 model. This regulation applies to all PA-31T3 aeroplanes listed in the requirement document and mandates the inspection and retirement of the main landing gear forward side braces in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin 841A. The directive is applicable to all persons or entities operating these aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, and it is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The geographical reach of this regulation is national, applying to all operations within Australia. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this particular directive, but compliance thresholds are clearly defined, including inspection intervals and the number of hours of component time in service before which certain actions must be taken. The regulations extend through subordinate instruments such as service bulletins and manufacturer announcements, ensuring that operators remain informed of necessary actions to maintain compliance and airworthiness.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the main landing gear forward side brace (AD/PA-31/115 Amendment 1). This directive applies to all model PA-31T3 aeroplanes as listed in the requirement document (Section 1). The main requirement of this AD is to inspect and retire the main landing gear forward side braces in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin 841A (Section 2). Compliance with this directive necessitates inspecting the main landing gear forward side braces prior to exceeding 500 hours of component time in service and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of component time in service (Section 3). Additionally, the inspection must be performed on any occasion that the landing gear is operated at speeds above the maximum landing gear operating speed specified in the applicable Aircraft Flight Manual (Section 4). The AD also mandates the retirement of the main landing gear forward side braces P/N 40279-16/-17 upon the accumulation of 800 hours of component time in service (Section 5). An important note is that the incorporation of the new improved main landing gear forward side brace P/N 85165-02/-03 constitutes terminating action for the inspection and retirement requirements of this AD (Section 6). This directive is crucial to address the issue of cracking experienced in the main landing gear forward side braces, as failure of these braces could lead to landing gear collapse (Section 7). Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD may result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces stringent measures to ensure adherence to these regulations. While the specific civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance with ADs are not detailed within the AD itself, general provisions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 may apply, including fines and potential imprisonment for serious non-compliance. Furthermore, non-compliance could also result in the grounding of the aircraft, thus impacting airworthiness and potentially leading to severe operational and financial repercussions for the operator. The exact penalties and consequences would depend on the nature and severity of the non-compliance, as well as the enforcement actions taken by CASA.