AD/PA-34/7 Amdt 2 - Aft Wing Assembly - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, are a crucial piece of legislation governing aviation safety in Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, is integral to maintaining the safety standards of aircraft in operation. One such directive, AD/PA-34/7 Amendment 2, targets the inspection of aft wing assemblies on Piper PA-34 (Seneca) series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the potential risk of structural failure in the specified wing components, which could compromise flight safety. The directive applies to all model PA-34-200 aircraft except those that have undergone specific modifications. The policy objective is to ensure ongoing airworthiness through regular and thorough inspections of the wing assembly areas identified as critical, thereby enhancing the overall safety of air travel in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Regulations, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Piper PA-34 (Seneca) series aeroplanes, with a focus on airworthiness directives for the aft wing assembly inspection. This regulation applies to all model PA-34-200 aircraft, excluding those that have incorporated Piper Kit P/N 760696V and those with main landing gear struts reserviced according to Piper Service Bulletin No. 406. The directive mandates two distinct inspections: a visual inspection of the wing lower surface skins for wrinkling immediately outboard of the wheel well openings, and a more detailed inspection through the wheel well openings for cracks and signs of distress in specific structural areas. Compliance with these inspection requirements is mandatory, with the frequency of inspections varying depending on the part of the wing being inspected and the circumstances of the aircraft’s use. This directive underscores the importance of regular and meticulous inspection protocols to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of the specified aircraft models, and compliance is enforced under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandate specific safety directives for certain aircraft types. In this case, AD/PA-34/7 Amendment 2 pertains to the Piper PA-34 (Seneca) series aeroplanes, focusing on the inspection of the aft wing assembly. Section 7/73 applies to all PA-34-200 models except those that have been modified with Piper Kit P/N 760696V or have had their main landing gear struts reserviced as per Piper Service Bulletin No. 406. The directive necessitates a visual inspection of both the left and right wing lower surface skins for any wrinkling immediately outboard of the wheel well openings (Section 7/73 Part 1). Additionally, the inspection must include a detailed examination through the wheel well openings for any cracks or signs of distress in the area where the main landing gear aft trunnion fitting is attached to the rear false spar, and the aft rib assembly at station 69.24 left and right where the false spar is attached (Section 7/73 Part 2). The regulations impose clear obligations on the operators and owners of the affected Piper PA-34 aircraft. For Part 1 of the inspection, pilots can perform and certify the visual inspection of the wing skins. However, for Part 2, which involves inspecting the wheel well areas through a light and mirror, this must be conducted by qualified personnel. These inspections must be carried out at specified intervals: Part 1 inspections must occur before further flight if they have not been performed in the last 10 hours of time in service, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 10 hours of time in service, with additional inspections following unusually fast or heavy landings. Part 2 inspections must be performed within 100 hours of time in service after 17 July 1973, and then at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service, as well as immediately following any discovery of skin wrinkles as noted in Part 1. Compliance with these inspection requirements is essential to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to adhere to the stipulated inspection intervals and procedures could result in serious safety implications, potentially leading to significant consequences. The regulations do not explicitly outline specific penalties for non-compliance in the text provided. However, non-compliance with airworthiness directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can generally lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which may include fines, suspension of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, or other regulatory penalties. Additionally, any resultant accidents or incidents due to non-compliance could lead to civil liabilities for damages and criminal charges if gross negligence or willful misconduct is found.