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-31/82 Rudder and Aileron Trim Tab Attachment - Inspection
9/79
Applicability: All models, PA-31P with S/Nos. 31P-1 to 31P-7730012 PA-31T Cheyenne/Cheyenne II with S/Nos. 31T-7400002 31T-7920053 and 31T-7920060 to 31T-7920063; PA- 31T1 Cheyenne 1 with S/Nos. 31T-7804001 to 31T-7904030 31T-7904032 to 31T-
7904035.
Document: Piper SB No. 659.
Compliance: Within 25 hours time in service after 10 August 1979.
Background: The manufacturer has advised that some of the trim tab hinge attach bolts may not have been correctly torqued at manufacture.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. This regulatory framework encompasses various safety measures, including the issuance of airworthiness directives to address specific safety concerns. One such directive, AD/PA-31/82, pertains to the Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, aiming to rectify potential manufacturing defects in the rudder and aileron trim tab attachments. The directive was introduced to address a problem identified by the manufacturer, whereby certain trim tab hinge attach bolts may not have been correctly torqued during production, potentially compromising the structural integrity and operational safety of the affected aircraft. The directive mandates inspections within 25 hours of time in service following its issuance on 10 August 1979 to ensure compliance and mitigate any safety risks associated with the identified issue.
The directive is part of a broader policy objective to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety, ensuring that all aircraft operating in Australia meet stringent airworthiness criteria. By issuing specific directives such as AD/PA-31/82, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority proactively addresses potential safety hazards, thereby protecting both the flying public and aviation personnel. This legislative instrument exemplifies the regulatory commitment to continuous safety oversight and improvement within the civil aviation sector.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the regulation of airworthiness directives in Australia, with the aim of ensuring the safety and reliability of aircraft operating within the nation's airspace. This particular legislative instrument, AD/PA-31/82, focuses on the Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, including models such as the PA-31P, PA-31T Cheyenne/Cheyenne II, and PA-31T1 Cheyenne 1, with specific serial numbers identified. The regulation mandates a mandatory inspection of the rudder and aileron trim tab attachment for these aircraft to ensure that the trim tab hinge attach bolts were correctly torqued during manufacture, as there were reports of potential issues with the attachment process. Compliance with this directive is required within 25 hours of time in service after the publication date of 10 August 1979. This directive applies nationally across Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with the manufacturer's advisory and Piper Service Bulletin No. 659 providing the necessary guidance for compliance.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, address the requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of certain aircraft. Section AD/PA-31/82 pertains to the Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, focusing on the rudder and aileron trim tab attachment. This directive mandates an inspection of the attachment (section 1). The applicability of this directive includes all models of PA-31P with specific serial numbers, as well as PA-31T Cheyenne/Cheyenne II and PA-31T1 Cheyenne 1 with their respective serial numbers (section 2). The directive references Piper Service Bulletin No. 659 and requires compliance within 25 hours of time in service after 10 August 1979 (section 3). The background to this directive stems from the manufacturer's advisory that some trim tab hinge attach bolts may not have been correctly torqued during manufacturing (section 4).
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties and entities it governs. Aircraft operators must ensure that the specified Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes undergo the required inspection of the rudder and aileron trim tab attachment as per the directive (section 5). Operators must adhere to the specified timeframe for compliance, which is within 25 hours of time in service after the directive's effective date (section 6). Additionally, operators must use the guidance provided by Piper Service Bulletin No. 659 to carry out the inspection and any necessary corrective actions (section 7). Failure to comply with these obligations may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to grounding and potential legal ramifications.
Breaching the requirements outlined in this directive may result in severe consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, failure to comply with an airworthiness directive can lead to civil penalties, including fines. Specifically, the maximum penalty for non-compliance with airworthiness directives is set out in Section 124 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which can be up to $202,000 for corporations and $40,400 for individuals, as well as potential criminal charges (section 8). Additionally, non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including the imposition of compliance orders, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory actions (section 9). These measures are intended to ensure that aircraft maintain the highest standards of safety and airworthiness.