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-31/79 Control Wheel Control Shaft Tube - Inspection 6/79
Applicability: All models PA-31, PA-31-300 and PA-31-325 with S/Nos 31-5 to 31-7912059; PA- 31-350 S/Nos. 31-5001 to 31-7952111. All model PA-31P with S/Nos. 31P-1 to 31P- 7730012. All model PA-31T with S/Nos. 31T- 7400002 to 31T-7920060. All model PA-31T1 with S/Nos. 31T-7804001 to 31-7904033.
Requirement: To avoid possible separation of the control wheel control shaft stud from the control shaft tube due to the absence of two roll pins, and subsequent loss of aileron control of the affected control wheel, accomplish the following:
- Secure control wheels in the aft position.
2. Gain access to the control shaft tube assembly (P/N 42939-00) and to stud (P/N 42938-00) connection located just aft of the control wheel stop collar (P/N 40950- 00).
3. Inspect the forward end of the control shaft tube assembly (P/N 42939-00) to determine if two roll pins (P/N 480732) are installed.
4. If one or both roll pins are missing, install as required, roll pin Piper P/N 48732 prior to further flight.
Note: Piper SB No. 651 refers to this subject.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, within 5 hours time in service after 18 May 1979. Background: The subject roll pins may not have been installed at aircraft manufacture.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) were enacted by the Parliament of Australia to regulate the safety standards in civil aviation, ensuring that aircraft and aviation operations meet specified safety criteria. One such regulation is the Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-31/79, which was introduced to address the safety concern of potential separation of the control wheel control shaft stud from the control shaft tube in Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, which could lead to loss of aileron control. This problem arose from the possible absence of two roll pins in the control shaft tube assembly, a defect that could have been present since manufacture. The directive requires all affected models of the Piper PA-31 Series to undergo an inspection and necessary repair within a specified timeframe to ensure continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft in operation.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued this directive under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth) to mandate specific actions to mitigate the identified safety risk. The directive applies to a specific range of serial numbers for the various models within the Piper PA-31 Series and mandates that the control wheels be secured in the aft position, and the control shaft tube assembly be inspected for the presence of the roll pins. If the roll pins are missing, they must be installed before the aircraft can continue in service. The directive aims to ensure that all aircraft meet the necessary safety standards, thereby protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of civil aviation operations in Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the control wheel control shaft tube inspection for certain Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. This regulation applies to all models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-31P, PA-31T, and PA-31T1 within specified serial number ranges. The directive is intended to ensure the safety of these aircraft by preventing the separation of the control wheel control shaft stud from the control shaft tube, which could result in the loss of aileron control. The requirement is to secure the control wheels in the aft position, inspect the control shaft tube assembly for the presence of two roll pins, and install any missing roll pins before further flight. Compliance with these regulations is mandatory, with the inspection needing to be completed within 5 hours of time in service after 18 May 1979, unless already accomplished. The AD extends its application across the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring uniformity in safety standards for these aircraft models nationwide.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, provides detailed directives for ensuring the airworthiness of Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. The relevant directive, AD/PA-31/79, mandates an inspection of the control wheel control shaft tube to prevent the separation of the control wheel control shaft stud from the control shaft tube, which could lead to a loss of aileron control. This requirement applies to all models of the PA-31 series, including PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-31P, PA-31T, and PA-31T1, with specific serial number ranges outlined in the legislation.
The directive outlines a series of steps to ensure compliance. First, the control wheels must be secured in the aft position. Second, access must be gained to the control shaft tube assembly and the stud connection, which are located just aft of the control wheel stop collar. Third, the forward end of the control shaft tube assembly must be inspected to determine if two roll pins are installed. If one or both roll pins are missing, they must be installed before further flight, using roll pin Piper P/N 48732. This directive refers to Piper Service Bulletin No. 651, which provides additional guidance on the subject.
Compliance with this directive is mandatory. Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the inspection and any necessary installation of roll pins are completed within five hours of time in service after 18 May 1979, unless these steps have already been taken. This requirement is crucial for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/PA-31/79 may result in significant legal and operational consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may impose penalties for non-compliance, including fines or other sanctions. Additionally, operating an aircraft that does not meet airworthiness standards can lead to serious safety risks, potentially resulting in accidents or incidents that could endanger lives and property. The severity of penalties can vary, but they are designed to ensure strict adherence to airworthiness directives to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation.