AD/PA-32/78 - Engine Mount and NLG Attachment

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, introduced the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically addressing issues with Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument was enacted to mitigate risks associated with structural integrity, particularly concerning the engine mount and nose landing gear attachments. The problem it aimed to address included reports of cracks in the engine mount cluster welds near the upper nose gear drag brace bushings, which could potentially lead to the inability to retract or extend the nose landing gear. The policy objective was to ensure compliance with safety standards and prevent potential flight hazards by mandating specific inspections and modifications. This directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and aims to enhance the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft models. The regulations compel aircraft owners and operators to follow the specified inspection, repair, and modification procedures to ensure the continued safety of these aircraft in operation. Compliance with these directives is mandatory, with specific timelines provided for the implementation of the required actions.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, apply to the maintenance and operation of the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes as outlined in the Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-32/78. This legislation mandates certain inspections and modifications to the engine mount, landing gear attachment, and other specified parts of the aircraft to ensure continued airworthiness and prevent potential failures. The directive applies to a range of model and serial numbers of the Piper PA-32R and PA-32RT series, which must comply with the detailed requirements provided by Piper Service Bulletin 955 and the installation kits for the engine mount drag links. Compliance with these regulations is mandatory for the specified aircraft models and must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 24 June 1993, unless the required actions have already been completed. Failure to adhere to these directives can result in the grounding of the aircraft until the necessary repairs and modifications are performed.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines various requirements and obligations for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft. Section 105, pertaining to the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes, mandates several critical actions to ensure safety and compliance with aviation standards. Under Section 105, AD/PA-32/78 requires the inspection and modification of engine mounts and landing gear attachments to prevent structural failures. Owners or operators of the specified models must inspect the engine mounts in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin 955 (Section 105(a)). Any detected cracks must be repaired following the instructions in Piper SB 955 prior to any further flight. Additionally, the airframe structure must be modified and strengthened in the landing gear and engine mount attach areas, using either the Engine Mount Drag Link Installation Kit for turbocharged models or the normally aspirated models (Section 105(b)). Another requirement includes inspecting the nose gear actuator attachment bracket to ensure correct rivet dimensions, as outlined in Piper SB 955 (Section 105(c)). If the required parts for modification are unavailable, the engine mount must be reinspected at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of service until the parts are procured (Section 105(d)). Operators and owners of the affected Piper PA-32 models are obligated to adhere to the specified timeframes and procedures outlined in the legislation. Compliance is mandatory unless the actions have already been completed. The directive requires that the specified inspections and modifications must be performed within 100 hours of time in service after 24 June 1993 (Section 105). Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential grounding and operational disruptions. Operators must ensure that all inspections and modifications are conducted by authorised personnel and that records are maintained to demonstrate compliance. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/PA-32/78 can result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement actions against operators who do not adhere to these airworthiness directives. Potential penalties include fines, operational restrictions, or even the suspension of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate. The severity of the penalty may depend on the extent of non-compliance and the risk posed to flight safety. Operators are strongly advised to ensure timely and thorough compliance to avoid these adverse outcomes.