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-31/66 Nose Landing Gear Wheel - Inspection 5/78
Applicability: All model PA-31T with S/Nos. 31-7620012 and up except those fitted with NLG wheel assembly Piper P/N 551-758, BF Goodrich P/N 3-1331.
Requirement: Visually inspect the nosewheel Piper P/N 551/778, Cleveland P/N 40-120A in the cup and flange areas for cracks.
Note: Cracked wheels must be replaced before further flight. If replaced by wheel of same P/N wheel must be inspected before each flight. Initial and recurring inspections may be performed and certified by the pilot in command.
Compliance: Before further flight.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B05770, address the safety concerns associated with the nose landing gear wheel of Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Australian Government, these regulations aim to ensure that airworthiness directives are followed to maintain safety standards within the aviation industry. The policy objective behind these regulations is to provide clear and specific safety instructions to mitigate risks associated with identified components, in this case, the nose landing gear wheel of certain Piper PA-31 models. The regulations mandate a visual inspection of the specified nosewheel components for cracks, with a requirement for immediate replacement if any cracks are detected. This measure is designed to prevent potential failures during flight, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety. Compliance with these directives is crucial, as cracked wheels must be replaced before any further flight, and inspections can be conducted by the pilot in command.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all persons and entities involved in the operation, maintenance, and certification of civil aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia. This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD/PA-31/66) targets owners and operators of Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes, particularly model PA-31T with serial numbers 31-7620012 and above, except for those equipped with specific nose landing gear (NLG) wheel assemblies. The directive mandates a visual inspection of the nosewheel for cracks in the cup and flange areas, which must be carried out before further flight. This inspection requirement can be performed by the pilot in command and certified accordingly, providing flexibility in compliance but maintaining stringent safety standards. The directive does not explicitly outline exclusions or exemptions, implying a broad application across the specified aircraft models within the stipulated serial number range. The AD is intended to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft by preventing the use of cracked wheels, which could compromise the structural integrity of the landing gear.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include detailed provisions concerning the airworthiness directives for various aircraft models, including the Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes. Section AD/PA-31/66 focuses on the nose landing gear wheel inspection of model PA-31T with specific serial numbers, excluding those equipped with certain wheel assemblies (s. 1). The requirement under this section is to visually inspect the specified nosewheel parts for any cracks in the cup and flange areas (s. 2). Any cracked wheels identified during the inspection must be replaced before the aircraft can be flown again (s. 3). Notably, if a cracked wheel is replaced with another of the same part number, it must be inspected before each subsequent flight (s. 4).
The obligations imposed by this airworthiness directive are clear and specific. Operators of the affected Piper PA-31T aircraft must ensure that the designated parts of the nose landing gear are visually inspected for cracks. This inspection must be conducted before any further flight of the aircraft. Additionally, the regulation permits the pilot in command to perform and certify these inspections, which adds a layer of responsibility to the pilot's duties (s. 5). This ensures that the aircraft maintains its airworthiness and complies with the stringent safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive may result in serious consequences. If an operator neglects to inspect the nose landing gear as required or fails to replace a cracked wheel before flight, this could be considered a breach of the regulations. Such non-compliance could lead to the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which may result in the grounding of the aircraft until the issue is rectified. Additionally, there may be enforcement actions taken against the operator, which could include fines or other penalties as stipulated in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The exact penalties would depend on the severity and circumstances of the breach, but they are intended to ensure adherence to safety standards and the protection of public safety in aviation.