COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-32/9
Amdt 1
Aileron Spar 4/86
Applicability: All model PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300 and PA-32RT-300T
aircraft which have exceeded 500 hours time in service.
Requirement: Inspect the aileron spar and doubler for cracking in the radii in the vicinity of the hinges.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 28 December 1967 and there- after at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service.
Background: Later models such as PA-32-301, PA-32-301T, PA-32R-301 and PA-32R-301T, have a tapered wing with a revised aileron hinge structure so the requirement for inspection is applicable to the earlier models only.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), was enacted to ensure the safe operation of civil aircraft within Australia. Part 39, specifically focusing on airworthiness directives, addresses safety concerns and regulatory compliance to mitigate risks associated with aircraft operations. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, such as AD/PA-32/9 Amendment 1, targets specific aircraft models to ensure ongoing airworthiness through mandated inspections and maintenance. This directive, for instance, applies to Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes, requiring inspections of the aileron spar and doubler for cracking in the radii near the hinges for aircraft that have exceeded 500 hours of time in service. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by addressing structural integrity issues that could compromise the aircraft's operational safety. The requirement to inspect the specified components at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service aims to prevent potential failures and ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft models.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandate the application of Airworthiness Directives for certain Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes. This regulation applies to all model PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300, and PA-32RT-300T aircraft that have accumulated more than 500 hours of time in service. The directive is focused on ensuring the safety of these aircraft by requiring inspections of the aileron spar and doubler for any cracking in the radii near the hinges. Compliance with this directive necessitates that inspections be carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 28 December 1967, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. Notably, this directive does not extend to later models such as PA-32-301, PA-32-301T, PA-32R-301, and PA-32R-301T, which feature a tapered wing with a revised aileron hinge structure, thereby exempting these models from the inspection requirement. This regulation is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and applies nationally across Australia, underscoring the importance of adhering to the specified maintenance and inspection protocols to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, provides detailed safety directives for various aircraft, including the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes. Within this legislative instrument, AD/PA-32/9 Amendment 1 addresses the inspection of the aileron spar for aircraft of the specified models (s. 1). The requirement outlined in section 1 is that all model PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300, and PA-32RT-300T aircraft which have exceeded 500 hours of time in service must undergo an inspection of the aileron spar and doubler for cracking in the radii in the vicinity of the hinges. This inspection must be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 28 December 1967, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service.
Compliance with this directive is mandatory for all affected aircraft. The primary obligation imposed by the regulations is on the owners and operators of the specified Piper PA-32 series aeroplanes to ensure that the required inspections are carried out as stipulated (s. 2). This involves engaging appropriately qualified personnel to perform the inspections and documenting the findings accurately. The regulations demand that these inspections are not only performed but also recorded meticulously to maintain a reliable service history of the aircraft. This record-keeping is essential for demonstrating compliance and ensuring the ongoing airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the inspection requirements set forth in the Civil Aviation Regulations can result in significant consequences. The regulations impose strict enforcement mechanisms, including potential penalties for non-compliance (s. 3). The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take action against operators who fail to adhere to the specified inspection intervals. Such actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other enforcement measures. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the importance of strict adherence to the mandated inspection schedule to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft in question.