AD/PA-31/94 Amdt 2 - Fuselage Bulkhead at STA.317.5

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, serve as a comprehensive regulatory framework governing civil aviation within the country. One of the legislative instruments under this act is the Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-31/94, which was introduced to address the issue of cracks in the fuselage bulkhead of Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. This legislation was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of these aircraft by mandating specific inspections and modifications to prevent structural failures. The policy objective behind this directive is to enhance airworthiness and safety by addressing the identified structural vulnerabilities, thereby reducing the risk of in-flight incidents due to structural integrity issues. This Airworthiness Directive is specifically applicable to Piper PA-31, PA31-300, PA31-325, PA31-350 models within certain serial number ranges. It requires operators to inspect the upper section of the fuselage bulkhead at STA.317.75 for cracks and to apply corrective measures as specified, depending on the inspection outcome. The directive aims to ensure compliance within 100 hours of time in service after its issuance date, unless the specified kits have already been incorporated. This directive reflects a broader policy to improve the safety standards of ageing aircraft by adopting measures that either eliminate or reduce the frequency of repetitive inspections when safer alternatives are available.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to airworthiness directives concerning Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes, with a focus on fuselage bulkheads at Station 317.5. This regulation applies to specific models and serial numbers of the Piper PA-31 series, namely the PA31, PA31-300, PA31-325, PA31-350, and certain serial numbers within those models. The directive mandates a rigorous inspection process for the upper section of the fuselage bulkhead at Station 317.75, requiring the detection of any cracks as per the guidelines outlined in Piper Service Bulletin 636A. Depending on the inspection findings, the appropriate corrective action must be taken, either by incorporating Piper Kit 764-028 for cracked areas or Piper Kit 763-917 if no cracks are detected. Compliance with these requirements is essential within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service post-September 12, 1996, unless the corrective kits are already installed. This regulation underscores the importance of regular maintenance and adherence to safety standards to prevent potential structural failures in the specified aircraft models.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, establish an Airworthiness Directive for Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the fuselage bulkhead at Station 317.5 (AD/PA-31/94 Amendment 2). The directive applies to models PA31, PA31-300, and PA31-325 with serial numbers ranging from 31-2 through 31-7912039 and PA31-350 from 31-5001 through 31-7952071. This regulation requires an inspection of the upper section of the fuselage bulkhead at Station 317.75 for cracks, in line with the instructions provided in Piper Service Bulletin 636A. If any crack is detected, the directive mandates the incorporation of Piper Kit 764-028 as per the instructions dated 18 June 1990. Conversely, if no crack is found, Piper Kit 763-917 must be incorporated, also following the instructions dated 18 June 1990. Entities governed by this Act must ensure compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 12 September 1996, unless the specified kits are already installed. This compliance requirement aims to address instances of cracks in the bulkhead flange area of Station 317.75 at the attachment point for the vertical fin forward spar. The directive has undergone amendments to incorporate updated safety measures, including Amendment 1, which introduced Amendment A of the Requirement Document, and Amendment 2, which reflects a new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Directive issued in response to further reports of cracks. The FAA’s policy on ageing commuter-class aircraft aims to eliminate or reduce repetitive short-interval inspections when improved parts or modifications are available. Breach of these regulations may result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can enforce penalties and sanctions for non-compliance. While specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, they may include fines, mandatory corrective actions, and potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. These measures underscore the importance of adhering to the directive to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes.