AD/PA-34/8 - Wing Walk - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, address the safety concerns related to Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directives. One such directive, AD/PA-34/8, was enacted to address issues identified with the wing walk of certain Seneca models, particularly focusing on the risk of looseness which could compromise safety. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure that all relevant aircraft meet safety standards. The policy objective of this legislation is to maintain and enhance aviation safety by mandating specific inspections and modifications to affected aircraft, thus preventing potential hazards that could arise from wing walk failure. This legislative instrument aims to mitigate risks associated with identified safety issues in Piper PA-34 aircraft by requiring inspections and necessary modifications to the wing walk. CASA, as the enacting body, ensures that all applicable aircraft are compliant with the outlined safety requirements, thereby safeguarding the integrity of civil aviation and protecting both passengers and crew. The directive emphasises proactive measures by allowing pilots to conduct inspections, while mandating modifications to be performed by authorised personnel within specified timeframes.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the airworthiness directives for certain aircraft, including the Piper PA-34 (Seneca) series aeroplanes, by issuing specific requirements for inspections and modifications to maintain safety standards. This legislation applies to Piper PA-34-200 model aircraft with specific serial numbers, mandating that these aircraft must undergo inspections of the wing walk leading edge for looseness before each flight and replacement if necessary, without requiring additional certification for the inspection which can be performed by the pilot. Additionally, these aircraft must also undergo a wing walk replacement and installation of a retainer as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin LDB-20, within 25 hours time in service after a specified date. The scope of this regulation is limited to the mentioned serial numbers and does not extend to other aircraft models or serial numbers unless specified in subsequent amendments or directives. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of these regulations is comprehensive across the Commonwealth of Australia, applying to all operators and pilots within the country's jurisdiction. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the specified scope of the regulation. The application of these directives may be further refined or extended through subordinate instruments, which provide additional details or updates to the requirements as necessary to maintain safety standards in civil aviation.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, contain the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which include provisions for maintaining the airworthiness of certain aircraft models. One such directive is AD/PA-34/8, which pertains to the Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers within the range of 34-7250001 to 34-7250037, 34-7250039 to 34-7250068, 34-7250070, 34-7250072, 34-7250073, 34-7250075, 34-7250076, 34-7250078, 34-7250079, 34-7250083, 34-7250084, 34-7250092, and 34-7250094. This directive mandates that the wing walk leading edge of these aircraft must be inspected for any signs of looseness (Section 12/72). The directive outlines two main components. Firstly, the wing walk leading edge must be inspected for evidence of looseness prior to each flight. If any looseness is detected, the wing walk must be replaced before the aircraft is flown again. This inspection can be carried out by the pilot themselves, without the need for certification (Part 1). Secondly, the wing walk must be replaced as necessary, with the installation of a retainer as detailed in Piper Service Bulletin LDB-20 (Part 2). Compliance with these requirements is critical to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Entities and individuals subject to this directive must adhere to the specified inspection and modification timelines. The inspection must be conducted before every flight until the modification is incorporated. The modification itself must be completed within 25 hours of time in service after 18 December 1972. Failure to comply with these obligations can have serious consequences, including the potential for grounding of the aircraft and legal repercussions. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the directive, non-compliance with CASA regulations can lead to substantial fines and other enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.