COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-34/44
Amdt 1
Main Landing Gear - Trunnion Housing 1/97
Applicability: | Models | Serial Numbers |
| PA-34-200 | 34-7250001 through 34-7450220 |
| PA-34-200T | 34-7570001 through 34-8170092 |
| PA-34-220T | 34-8133001 through 34-8233088 that are not equipped with trunnion housing assemblies, Piper part number 39486-802 (left) and 39486-803 (right) with embossed forging number 67924-2. |
Requirement: 1. Clean and strip paint from the inspection area as defined in Sketch A and Sketch B of Piper SB 787B. Inspect for cracks using fluorescent dye penetrant per CAO
108.10. Perform a detailed visual inspection using a 10X glass for grinding or machining marks. Remove any marks detected with 180 grit aluminium oxide paper. Polish area with 600 grit or finer aluminium oxide paper. Treat with Alodine 1200 (or equivalent), prime with a chromate primer and finish paint to match existing scheme.
2. Clean and strip paint from the inspection area as defined in Sketch A and Sketch B of Piper SB 787B. Inspect for cracks using fluorescent dye penetrant per CAO
108.10. Prime with a chromate primer and finish paint to match existing scheme.
3. Replace main landing gear trunnion with new replacement part number components as defined in Piper SB 787B.
Note: FAA AD 94-13-11 refers.
Compliance: 1. Action in accordance with Requirement 1 before 500 hours time in service or within 50 hours time in service from 15 September 1994 whichever is the later.
2. Action in accordance with Requirement 2 at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service.
3. If the main landing gear trunnion hours cannot be determined the airframe hours may be substituted. Action in accordance with Requirement 3 before 2000 hours time in service, except that main landing gear trunnions that have exceeded 2000 hours time in service may remain in service until 2500 hours time in service provided:
- Replacement parts have been ordered and are unavailable.
b. Repeat inspections are performed at 10 hour time in service intervals and no cracks are detected. In this instance the requirement to paint the trunnion between inspections may be deleted.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
c. Replacement is completed within 5 hours time in service of the parts becoming available.
Replacement with new part number trunnion housings as listed in Piper SB 787B with embossed forging number 02599-2, cancels all requirements of this AD.
The compliance of the initial issue of this Directive remains unchanged. This Amendment is effective from 2 January 1997.
Background: Cracks have developed in the main landing gear trunnion housings on the aft side at the lower end of the fillet. Although Piper has made design changes to these components, cracks have still continued to occur.
This AD inspects existing components and replaces them with further improved components.
Amendment 1 is issued to re-format the Applicability part of this Directive by aligning with the related FAA AD, which includes additional information, while removing reference to the aircraft model name.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 15 September 1994.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, address issues related to airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. This legislation was enacted to rectify identified safety issues and maintain the airworthiness of aircraft by implementing mandatory safety measures. The problem it was introduced to address is the occurrence of cracks in the main landing gear trunnion housings of Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes, which could compromise the integrity and safety of these aircraft. The policy objective, as stated, is to inspect and replace these components with improved versions to prevent the recurrence of such defects. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, through its legislative powers, mandates these measures to ensure the ongoing safety and reliability of the affected aircraft models.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/PA-34/44 Amendment 1, pertains to Piper PA-34 (Seneca) series aeroplanes, including models PA-34-200, PA-34-200T, and PA-34-220T, and applies to a defined range of serial numbers. This legislation mandates detailed inspection and maintenance procedures for the main landing gear trunnion housings to ensure airworthiness. The requirement entails thorough cleaning, inspection for cracks, and visual checks for any grinding or machining marks, followed by appropriate corrective actions such as polishing and repainting. If the trunnion housings are not equipped with specific Piper parts, they must be replaced with new components as outlined. The directive mandates compliance within specific timeframes based on hours of time in service, with certain conditions for aircraft whose trunnion hours are indeterminate. The directive applies to all Piper PA-34 series aircraft within the specified serial number ranges operating under Australian jurisdiction, ensuring that these aircraft meet stringent safety standards to maintain airworthiness.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), Part 39 - 105, specifies Airworthiness Directives (ADs) aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft operations. This particular AD (AD/PA-34/44 Amendment 1) applies to Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series aeroplanes, particularly those with specific serial numbers and configurations, to address cracks in the main landing gear trunnion housings (section 1/97). The AD mandates several detailed requirements for inspection and replacement of these components. For example, section 1 outlines that the inspection area must be cleaned, stripped of paint, and visually inspected for cracks using fluorescent dye penetrant as per CAO108.10. Additionally, it specifies procedures for polishing, priming, and painting the area to match the existing scheme. Section 2 further details the replacement of the main landing gear trunnion with new components as defined in Piper Service Bulletin (SB) 787B.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators and maintenance personnel of the affected aircraft. Section 1 requires that the actions outlined in Requirement 1 be completed before 500 hours of time in service or within 50 hours of 15 September 1994, whichever is later. Section 2 mandates that actions in accordance with Requirement 2 be performed at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. If the exact hours of the main landing gear trunnion cannot be determined, section 3 stipulates that the airframe hours may be substituted, and action must be taken before 2000 hours of time in service. In specific scenarios where the parts are ordered but unavailable, the trunnions may remain in service until 2500 hours of time in service, provided certain conditions are met, such as performing repeat inspections at 10-hour intervals and ensuring no cracks are detected.
The AD also outlines consequences for non-compliance. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can lead to significant civil and criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth). For instance, contravening regulations can result in fines up to $22,200 for individuals and $111,000 for corporations, as well as potential imprisonment for serious breaches. Additionally, non-compliance can result in the grounding of the aircraft, which can have severe operational and financial repercussions for the operator. The AD emphasizes the importance of adhering to the specified timeframes and procedures to maintain airworthiness and ensure the safety of the aircraft.