AD/PA-31/89 - Elevator Torque Tube Attachment

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, provide comprehensive regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation within the country. The specific legislative instrument F2006B05794, within Part 39, addresses the safety and airworthiness of aircraft, particularly the Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes. This regulation was introduced to ensure that these aircraft meet specific safety standards, particularly regarding the attachment of the elevator torque tube to the elevator butt ribs. The problem it aimed to address was the potential for non-compliance with self-locking requirements of anchor nuts on certain Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, which could compromise the safety and structural integrity of the aircraft. The policy objective of these regulations is to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety, ensuring that all aircraft operating within Australia adhere to strict airworthiness directives.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, pertains to airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models. In this instance, the legislation targets Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, including all models PA-31 and PA-31-325 with serial numbers ranging from 31-7712059 to 31-7912094, and model PA-31-350 with serial numbers from 31-7752101 to 31-7952185. The directive mandates that action be taken in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 664, ensuring compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 29 February 1980. This requirement addresses a specific safety concern regarding the elevator torque tube attachment to the elevator butt ribs, ensuring that anchor nuts meet the necessary self-locking criteria to mitigate potential safety hazards. The scope of this regulation is confined to the mentioned aircraft models and serial numbers, and it applies nationally, under the oversight of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines a series of directives aimed at ensuring the airworthiness of certain aircraft models. Under this part, the schedule of airworthiness directives includes AD/PA-31/89, which pertains to the Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes (section 1). This directive mandates that certain actions be taken to ensure the safety of these aircraft by addressing the potential issue of non-compliant anchor nuts in the elevator torque tube attachment. Section 2 of the directive specifies the applicability of the requirements, detailing that all models PA-31 and PA-31-325 with specific serial numbers, as well as all model PA-31-350 within certain serial number ranges, are subject to this airworthiness directive. The requirement outlined in section 3 is that the affected aircraft must be brought into compliance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 664, which addresses the potential issue with the elevator torque tube attachment. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 29 February 1980, as specified in section 4. The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties or entities it governs are clear and straightforward. Aircraft operators must ensure that the specified models of Piper PA-31 aeroplanes undergo the necessary inspections and modifications to meet the self-locking requirement of the elevator torque tube attachment. This includes verifying that the anchor nuts meet the specified standards and taking corrective action if necessary. Operators are also required to document compliance with the directive and maintain records of the actions taken, as well as the dates and details of the inspections and modifications. Failure to comply with this airworthiness directive can result in significant legal and operational consequences. Section 5 of the directive outlines the potential penalties and consequences for non-compliance, which may include both civil and criminal penalties. In the event of a breach, the maximum penalties could include substantial fines, as well as potential grounding of the affected aircraft until compliance is achieved. The exact penalties may vary depending on the specific circumstances and the discretion of the court or regulatory authority. It is essential for aircraft operators to adhere to these directives to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft in question.