AD/PA-34/24 - Engine Control Rod End Bearings - Inspection and Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serve to regulate civil aviation within the country, ensuring safety and operational standards are met. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations includes a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives aimed at maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft through mandatory safety measures. One such directive, AD/PA-34/24, was introduced to address issues with engine control rod end bearings in Piper PA-34 (Seneca) series aeroplanes, particularly focusing on models PA34-200 and PA34-200T within specified serial number ranges. This directive was put into effect to mitigate potential risks associated with the identified components, ensuring the safety and reliability of these aircraft in service. The objective is to mandate timely inspections and necessary replacements of the rod end bearings, thus safeguarding against mechanical failures that could compromise flight safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, mandates Airworthiness Directives for certain aircraft models to ensure their safe operation. One such directive, AD/PA-34/24, applies to Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes, specifically models PA34-200 and PA34-200T within specific serial number ranges. This directive requires the inspection and, if necessary, the replacement of engine control rod end bearings to prevent potential failure of control systems, which could compromise the safety of the aircraft. The directive applies to aircraft in service within the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The compliance period is set within 25 hours of time in service after the directive's issuance date of 22 November 1977. This regulation ensures that all affected aircraft meet the specified safety standards and does not explicitly exclude or exempt any entities or persons within its jurisdictional reach. The scope of the directive is further extended or detailed through subordinate instruments issued by CASA as necessary.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in PART 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes a directive (AD/PA-34/24) concerning Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes. This directive mandates the inspection and replacement of engine control rod end bearings, as outlined in the regulation (11/77). The directive applies to specific models of the Piper PA-34-200 and PA-34-200T, identified by their serial numbers (Section 1). The requirement involves inspecting the rod end bearing assemblies attached to the mixture, throttle, and propeller governor control cables (Section 2). If a rod end bearing identified as number one (1) in the accompanying illustration is found, it must be replaced with either a rod end bearing corresponding to number two (2) or number three (3) of the same illustration (Section 2). The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators and owners of the specified Piper PA-34 models must ensure that the inspection and necessary replacements are carried out. This includes verifying the condition of the rod end bearings and replacing any that do not meet the specified standards (Section 2). The directive also sets a compliance timeline, mandating that the inspection and replacement must be completed within 25 hours of the aircraft being in service after 22 November 1977 (Section 1). Failure to comply with the requirements of this directive may lead to significant consequences. Although the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly detail the penalties for non-compliance in the provided text, breaches of airworthiness directives generally carry serious ramifications under civil aviation law. Non-compliance can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. These actions may include grounding the aircraft until the required actions are completed, fines, and potentially criminal charges for operators who knowingly allow an unairworthy aircraft to fly. The exact penalties may vary based on the specific circumstances and the extent of the non-compliance.