AD/PA-31/99 Amdt 1 - Elevator Control Tube

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. A key component of this regulatory framework is Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. One such directive, AD/PA-31/99, was introduced to address specific safety concerns related to the Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, particularly those concerning the elevator control tube. This directive was enacted to mitigate potential risks associated with the identified models, ensuring that they meet the necessary safety standards and thereby safeguarding the aviation community. The policy objective behind such detailed regulation is to maintain the highest levels of safety and reliability in civil aviation operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as outlined in PART 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, apply to specific models of Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes. These include all models PA-31T with serial numbers ranging from 31T-7400002 to 31T-8120070, all models PA-31T1 with serial numbers from 31T-7804001 to 31T-8104073, and all models PA-31T2 with serial numbers from 31T-8166001 to 31T-8166059, 31T-8166061, and 31T-8166062. The Act mandates compliance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 715A, which was revised to include additional effectivity and applicability provisions in line with AD/PA-31/99. The action required under this directive must be completed within 100 hours of the aeroplanes' time in service after 31 July 1983, unless it has already been accomplished. This regulation is part of the broader legislative framework that ensures the safety and airworthiness of aircraft within Australian airspace, governed by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) that mandate certain actions to ensure the safety of aircraft. One such directive is AD/PA-31/99 Amendment 1, which pertains to the Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, particularly the elevator control tube (section 105). This AD is applicable to all models PA-31T with specific serial numbers, PA-31T1 with specific serial numbers, and PA-31T2 with certain serial numbers (section 105.02). The directive requires action to be taken in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 715A (section 105.03). Compliance with this directive must be achieved unless it has already been accomplished, within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1983 (section 105.04). The AD imposes clear obligations on the parties involved, specifically the operators of the affected Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes. Operators must ensure that the required actions outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 715A are completed within the specified timeframe. This involves adhering to the technical instructions provided in the service bulletin to rectify or mitigate any safety concerns related to the elevator control tube. Failure to comply with these directives can compromise the airworthiness of the aircraft, thereby affecting safety and potentially leading to regulatory non-compliance. Failure to adhere to the requirements of AD/PA-31/99 Amendment 1 may result in serious consequences. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives is a serious offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. In such cases, operators may face penalties, including fines and potential grounding of the affected aircraft. The severity of the penalty often depends on the extent of non-compliance and the potential risk posed to aviation safety. It is essential for operators to take proactive measures to ensure compliance with these directives to avoid any legal repercussions.