AD/PA-32/72 - Nose Landing Gear Downlock - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), specifically in Part 39 - 105, address safety directives for aircraft through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The regulation was enacted to ensure the safety of aviation by implementing strict standards and directives for aircraft maintenance and operations. One such directive, AD/PA-32/72, pertains to the modification of the nose landing gear downlock on Piper PA-32 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the problem of reported failures of the nose landing gear down locks on certain Piper PA-32R models, as referenced in FAA AD 81-24-07 Amendment 39-4255. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by mandating compliance with the specified modifications within 100 hours of time in service after 31 January 1982. The Piper PA-32 series aeroplanes, including models such as the Lance, Lance II, Turbo Lance II, Saratoga SP, and Turbo Saratoga SP, are required to adhere to the modifications detailed in Piper Service Letter No. 927 and Piper Kit P/N 764135V to mitigate the risk of gear failure. CASA, as the regulatory body, enforces these safety directives to ensure that all affected aircraft meet the necessary safety standards, thereby protecting the safety of passengers and crew.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 and the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to certain Piper PA-32 series aeroplanes, including PA-32R-300 Lance, PA-32RT-300 Lance II, PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II, PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP, and PA-32R-301T Turbo Saratoga SP, with serial numbers within specific ranges. This legislation governs the maintenance and operational requirements for these aircraft models to ensure safety, specifically addressing failures of the nose landing gear down locks. The directive mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 January 1982, referencing Piper Service Letter No. 927 and Piper Kit P/N 764135V, as well as FAA AD 81-24-07 Amdt. 39-4255. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, encompassing the entire Commonwealth of Australia, with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority overseeing adherence to these safety directives.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for various aircraft types, including the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/PA-32/72, pertains to the nose landing gear downlock modification for certain serial numbers of Piper PA-32R models (sections 1-8). This directive requires modifications to the nose landing gear downlocks to prevent failures that have been reported in the past. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for aircraft falling within the specified serial number ranges and must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 January 1982. The AD/PA-32/72 imposes specific obligations on aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance providers. They must ensure that the nose landing gear downlocks on the affected Piper PA-32R models are modified according to the instructions provided in Piper Service Letter No. 927 and Piper Kit P/N 764135V. Additionally, the directive references FAA AD 81-24-07 Amdt. 39-4255, which provides further guidance and specifications for the required modifications. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in significant safety risks and non-compliance with civil aviation safety standards. Breaching the obligations set forth in AD/PA-32/72 can lead to severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce penalties and sanctions against those who fail to comply with airworthiness directives. Potential outcomes include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates of airworthiness, and legal action against individuals or entities responsible for the non-compliance. The specific penalties can vary based on the severity and frequency of the breach, but they are intended to ensure that all aircraft meet the required safety standards to protect passengers and crew.