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-31/117 Elevator Spar, False Spar and Butt Rib 11/90
Applicability: PA-31P, 31T, 31T1, 31T2 as indicated in the Requirement document.
Requirement: Inspect in accordance with Part I of Piper Service Bulletin No 897A dated 3 January 1990.
Note: Compliance with Part II of the above Service Bulletin constitutes terminating action for the purposes of this AD.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 1 November 1990, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 500 hours time in service.
Background: It has been determined that cracks may occur in the false spar channels, the elevator butt ribs and the elevator spar at the butt rib attachment. Uncorrected, such a condition may lead to impairment of elevator control.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as part of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, introduced Part 39 - 105, which includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) aimed at ensuring the safety and reliability of aircraft in Australian airspace. This specific legislative instrument, F2006B05704, focuses on Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes and addresses a potential safety issue involving the elevator spar, false spar, and butt rib. The directive was enacted to mitigate the risk of cracks in these critical components, which, if left unaddressed, could lead to a loss of elevator control. The policy objective is to mandate regular inspections and compliance with specified service bulletins to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of affected aircraft.
The AD/PA-31/117 requires operators of Piper PA-31P, 31T, 31T1, and 31T2 models to inspect the elevator spar, false spar, and butt rib in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No 897A dated 3 January 1990. Compliance with Part II of this service bulletin is considered sufficient for terminating actions under this directive. Operators must conduct these inspections within 100 hours of the aeroplane's time in service after 1 November 1990 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service. This directive is designed to prevent the occurrence of structural failures that could compromise flight safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, apply to all aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring compliance with safety directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). In this instance, the regulation pertains to Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, including the PA-31P, 31T, 31T1, and 31T2 models, mandating an inspection of the elevator spar, false spar, and butt rib. This directive requires the inspection to be conducted in accordance with Part I of Piper Service Bulletin No 897A dated 3 January 1990, with compliance required within 100 hours of time in service after 1 November 1990, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 500 hours. The regulation underscores the critical nature of these inspections, as uncorrected cracks in these components may lead to impaired elevator control, thus directly impacting aviation safety. The authority to extend or restrict the application of these directives through subordinate instruments is acknowledged within the legislative framework.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the Airworthiness Directives (AD) for various aircraft, including the Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes. Under this section, AD/PA-31/117 pertains to the inspection and maintenance of the elevator spar, false spar, and butt rib in specific Piper models (11/90). According to section 11/90, the directive applies to Piper PA-31P, 31T, 31T1, and 31T2 aeroplanes as specified in the Requirement document. The key requirement (section 1) is that these components must be inspected in accordance with Part I of Piper Service Bulletin No 897A dated 3 January 1990. It is noteworthy that compliance with Part II of this Service Bulletin serves as the terminating action for the purposes of this AD.
The obligations imposed by this regulation are primarily focused on ensuring the airworthiness of the specified Piper PA-31 models. Operators of these aircraft must adhere to the inspection protocol outlined in the Piper Service Bulletin No 897A. This includes conducting the required inspections within 100 hours of time in service after 1 November 1990 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service. This ongoing maintenance requirement is critical to prevent the potential development of cracks in the elevator spar, false spar channels, and the elevator butt ribs, which could compromise the control of the elevator and, consequently, the safety of the flight.
Failure to comply with these provisions can lead to serious consequences. While the Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties within the text provided, non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives generally can result in significant civil and criminal liabilities under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. This may include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the non-compliance and its impact on aviation safety. The overarching principle is that adherence to these directives is mandatory to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft, and non-compliance can have serious repercussions both legally and in terms of aviation safety.