AD/PA-31/21 Amdt 3 - Rudder and Nose Gear Steering Cable Assemblies - Inspection and Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, with Amendment 3 concerning the rudder and nose gear steering cable assemblies of Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. This legislation was introduced to address safety concerns by mandating specific inspections and replacements of these critical components to prevent potential failures that could lead to accidents. The policy objective is to ensure that the aircraft maintain a high standard of airworthiness by adhering to these maintenance protocols. CASA, as the enacting body, aims to enhance aviation safety through these regulations, requiring all applicable aircraft to comply with the outlined procedures for inspections and replacements within specified timeframes. This legislative instrument, AD/PA-31/21, applies to all model PA-31P aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 31P-1 to 31P-7530019 and all model PA-31T aeroplanes with serial numbers from 31T-7400002 to 31T-7520022. The requirement is to inspect the rudder and nose gear steering cable assemblies for wear at all pulley and fair-lead locations, and to replace them by installing Piper Kit No. 760-923 as per Service Bulletin No. 446A. Compliance mandates that inspections must be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1975, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours until the components are replaced. The replacement must occur within 300 hours of time in service following 30 September 1975.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued a specific Airworthiness Directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which applies to certain Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. This AD mandates inspection and replacement of rudder and nose gear steering cable assemblies for specific models and serial numbers of the Piper PA-31P and PA-31T aircraft. The directive applies to all model PA-31P aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 31P-1 to 31P-7530019 and to all model PA-31T aeroplanes with serial numbers from 31T-7400002 to 31T-7520022. This AD applies to all relevant aircraft operators within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that these aircraft are maintained to the required safety standards. Compliance with the AD involves inspecting the rudder and nose gear steering cable assemblies for wear at all pulley and fair-lead locations within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1975, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours. Additionally, the rudder and nose gear steering cable assemblies must be replaced by installing Piper Kit No. 760-923 in accordance with Service Bulletin No. 446A within 300 hours of time in service after 30 September 1975. This AD is integral in maintaining the airworthiness and safety of the specified Piper PA-31 aeroplanes within the Australian jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, contains provisions for the inspection and replacement of rudder and nose gear steering cable assemblies in Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes (Section 1). The applicable models are the PA-31P with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 31P-1 to 31P-7530019 and the PA-31T with S/Nos. from 31T-7400002 to 31T-7520022 (Section 2). The directive, AD/PA-31/21 Amendment 3, specifies that the rudder and nose gear steering cable assemblies must be inspected for wear at all pulley and fair-lead locations (Section 3). Additionally, these assemblies must be replaced by installing Piper Kit No. 760-923 in accordance with Service Bulletin No. 446A (Section 4). The regulations impose specific obligations on the operators of the affected aircraft. Firstly, operators must ensure that the inspection of the rudder and nose gear steering cable assemblies is conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1975, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the assemblies are replaced (Section 5). Secondly, the replacement of the assemblies must be carried out within 300 hours of time in service after 30 September 1975 (Section 6). These obligations are crucial for maintaining the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft, as specified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive may result in civil or criminal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with regulations under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Such actions may include fines, enforcement notices, or other regulatory measures to ensure compliance with safety standards. The maximum penalties for breaches of civil aviation regulations can vary, but they are generally significant to ensure that operators take the required safety measures seriously.