AD/PA-32/71 - Aileron Balance Weight Attachment - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, include provisions designed to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations addresses the issuance of airworthiness directives by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), aimed at mitigating risks and ensuring compliance with safety standards. The airworthiness directive in question, AD/PA-32/71, pertains to the inspection and modification of aileron balance weight attachments in Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address a specific safety concern where aileron balance weights had been reported to become loose, potentially affecting the aircraft's performance and safety. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for certain serial numbers of the affected models to prevent potential operational hazards. The policy objective underlying this directive is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring that critical components, such as aileron balance weights, remain securely attached and functional, thereby reducing the risk of in-flight failures or malfunctions. CASA's role in enforcing these regulations ensures that operators and owners of affected aircraft adhere to the specified maintenance and inspection requirements, thereby maintaining the high standards of safety required in Australian airspace.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all model Piper PA-32-301, PA-32-301T, PA-32R-301, and PA-32R-301T aeroplanes with specified serial numbers. This directive mandates inspections and modifications for aileron balance weights to address reported issues of these components becoming loose in the outboard leading edge of the ailerons. The regulation encompasses the entire Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), and extends to all entities operating these particular Piper PA-32 series aeroplanes within its jurisdiction. Compliance requires that inspections be conducted within 25 hours of time in service following the directive's issuance date of 7 April 1981, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 25 hours until the aeroplanes are modified according to the directive. Modifications must be completed within 200 hours of time in service after the same date. This directive does not explicitly mention any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the specified serial numbers and compliance timeframes.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, establish specific airworthiness directives for certain aircraft types, including the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes, as detailed in AD/PA-32/71. This directive pertains to the inspection and modification of aileron balance weight attachments. The directive applies to specific serial numbers of the model PA-32-301, PA-32-301T, PA-32R-301, and PA-32R-301T aeroplanes. These serial numbers are explicitly listed to ensure compliance with the specified requirements. Entities and individuals operating the affected Piper PA-32 series aeroplanes are required to comply with the directive. Compliance involves conducting an inspection within 25 hours of time in service after 7 April 1981, followed by subsequent inspections at intervals not exceeding 25 hours time in service until the aeroplane is modified according to the directive. Furthermore, a modification must be undertaken within 200 hours of time in service after 7 April 1981. The directive references Piper Service Bulletin No. 703, which provides the technical details and instructions for the required inspections and modifications. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The specific consequences of non-compliance can include penalties or legal action. While the exact penalties are not detailed in the text, they can include fines and other regulatory sanctions under the broader Civil Aviation Act 1988. Non-compliance may also result in the suspension of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, which would prevent the aeroplane from being operated until the required inspections and modifications are completed.