AD/PA-34/15 - Outer Wing Spars - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, form a comprehensive legal framework governing civil aviation safety within the country. This legislation, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aims to ensure the safety of aircraft and passengers by establishing stringent regulations and standards. One such regulation is the Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-34/15 concerning the Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes, which was introduced to address specific safety concerns related to the outer wing spars of certain models. The directive requires a detailed inspection and, if necessary, the replacement or repair of these components to mitigate risks associated with improperly formed lightening holes and potential cracks in the lightening hole flange radii. The policy objective is to maintain the airworthiness of these aircraft and ensure the safety of all persons on board. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 mandate that specific models of the Piper PA-34 series must undergo rigorous inspections of their outer wing spars to identify and rectify any issues with lightening holes and flange radii. The directive applies to all models PA34-200 with serial numbers ranging from 34-7450001 to 34-7450205. The primary requirement is to remove and inspect the inspection plate near the aileron bellcrank and the outboard fuel tank on the lower surface of the wing, checking for a die stamping mark and any cracks in the lightening hole flange radius. Depending on the findings, further actions such as replacement or repair of the spar may be necessary to comply with the directive, ensuring the continued safe operation of these aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the scope and application of the Airworthiness Directive concerning Piper PA-34 (Seneca) series aeroplanes, with a focus on the outer wing spars inspection. This directive applies to all models of PA34-200 with serial numbers ranging from 34-7450001 to 34-7450205. It mandates the inspection of the outer wing spars to detect any improperly formed lightening holes, including the removal of the inspection plate and the detailed examination of the lightening hole flange radius for cracks. The directive applies nationally, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Compliance with the directive is required within 10 hours of time in service after 17 September 1974. If a square die stamping mark is identified on the aft side of the spar and no cracks are present, no further action is necessary; however, if the mark is on the forward side or there are cracks, the spar must be replaced or repaired according to an approved scheme. The directive does not explicitly mention exclusions or exemptions, implying that it applies universally to the specified aircraft models within the defined parameters.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes, identified as AD/PA-34/15, which mandates inspection of outer wing spars for all models PA34-200 with serial numbers ranging from 34-7450001 to 34-7450205. The directive's primary requirement (section 1) is to detect improperly formed lightening holes in the outer wing spars. This involves removing the inspection plate located adjacent to the aileron bellcrank and aft of the outboard fuel tank on the lower surface of the wing, then inspecting both sides of the left and right spars around the first lightening hole outboard of the fish mouth of the main spar splice for a die stamping mark, approximately six by six inches square. Additionally, the lightening hole flange radius must be inspected for cracks. The obligations imposed by this directive (section 2) necessitate that if a square die stamping mark is present only on the aft side of the spar and there are no cracks in the lightening hole flange radii, no further action is required. However, if a square die stamping mark is present on the forward side of the spar and/or if there are cracks in the lightening hole flange, the directive requires the replacement of the outboard spar with a serviceable spar of the same part number or repair according to a scheme approved by the Secretary. Compliance with these directives must be achieved within 10 hours of the aeroplane's time in service after 17 September 1974. In terms of consequences for non-compliance (section 3), the AD does not explicitly detail specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach within the text provided. However, non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives generally falls under the broader Civil Aviation Act 1988, where breaches can result in civil penalties, including fines, and potential criminal penalties. The severity of these penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but they can include substantial fines and imprisonment for serious breaches.