AD/PA-31/93 Amdt 2 - Main Landing Gear Inboard Door Hinge

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has enacted the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-31/93 Amdt 2, effective from April 19, 2001, to address the issue of main landing gear (MLG) inboard door hinge failure in Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. This amendment revokes the previous AD/PA-31/93 Amdt 1 and incorporates additional requirements necessary for ensuring the safety of aircraft with specific MLG inboard door hinge assemblies. The directive mandates the inspection and replacement of any cracked MLG inboard door hinges, particularly those made of steel or approved by CASA, FAA, or Piper. The policy objective is to prevent unsafe conditions that could lead to potential aircraft failures, thereby enhancing aviation safety. CASA, acting under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, has issued this directive to ensure compliance with safety standards and to protect the public from the risks associated with aircraft malfunctions.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-31/93 Amdt 2 issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, including models PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-31P, PA-31T, PA-31T1, PA-31T2, PA-31T3, and PA-31P-350 within the serial number ranges specified. This AD mandates actions to address unsafe conditions concerning the main landing gear (MLG) inboard door hinge. Compliance with the AD is required for the affected aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, and it applies to both domestic and international flights. The AD does not include any stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds. The AD becomes effective on 19 April 2001, and compliance must be achieved in accordance with the instructions provided in Piper Service Bulletin No. 682 dated July 24, 1980. The AD may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-31/93 Amdt 2, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), mandates specific actions to address unsafe conditions in the main landing gear (MLG) inboard door hinge assemblies of certain Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. This AD applies to various model and serial numbers of the Piper PA-31 series (sections 1 and 2). The primary requirement of this AD is to inspect and, if necessary, replace the MLG inboard door hinge assemblies in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 682, dated July 24, 1980 (section 3). Specifically, the AD requires that the inspection and replacement must be carried out for aircraft with specific MLG inboard door hinge assemblies or those made of materials other than steel (section 3(a) and (b)). The compliance section stipulates that the inspection should be conducted upon accumulating 2,000 hours of time-in-service or within 100 hours after 19 April 2001, whichever is later, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 2,000 hours. The replacement must be done before further flight after the inspection if a cracked assembly is found (section 4(1) and (2)). Failure to comply with this AD may result in the aircraft being considered unairworthy, potentially leading to enforcement actions, fines, or other regulatory penalties as prescribed by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998). The AD became effective on 19 April 2001, replacing the previous amendment and the original issue of the AD.