AD/PA-36/14 Amdt 1 - Rudder Control Horn Attachment Bolts - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority, include Airworthiness Directives to ensure the safety of aircraft in operation. AD/PA-36/14 Amendment 1 addresses issues concerning the Piper PA-36 (Pawnee Brave) series aeroplanes, particularly those involving rudder control horn attachment bolts. This directive was enacted to address a reported problem of rudder horn separation, ensuring tighter regulatory oversight and safety measures are applied to specified models and serial numbers of the aircraft. The objective of this directive, as established by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, is to prevent potential in-flight separation of the rudder control horn attachment bolts, thus enhancing the overall safety and reliability of the aircraft in operation. This Airworthiness Directive was introduced by the Australian Government through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aiming to mitigate risks associated with the identified safety issue. The directive mandates inspections and modifications of the specified rudder control horn attachment bolts, with a requirement for certification by licensed aircraft maintenance engineers or, in certain circumstances, by the pilot in command. The enforcement of this directive is intended to ensure that all affected aircraft are maintained to a high standard of safety, thereby protecting both the operators and passengers of the Piper PA-36 series aeroplanes.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as detailed in PART 39 - 105, pertain to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically concerning the Piper PA-36 (Pawnee Brave) series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to specific models of PA-36 aeroplanes with serial numbers within defined ranges. The requirement mandates a visual inspection of the Rudder Control Horn Attachment Bolts to ensure they are tight, and these bolts must also be inspected in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 495B and modified if necessary. Compliance with these directives must be noted on the maintenance release if the aircraft is maintained under ANO 100.5.1, and either the pilot in command or a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer can perform and certify this inspection. The directives are effective from 10 August 1981, with specific timelines for the daily or overnight inspection and the 100-hour inspection. This directive extends the scope to additional serial numbers and includes the PA-36-375 model, addressing a reported issue of rudder horn separation. The Civil Aviation Regulations thus establish mandatory safety checks to mitigate potential risks associated with the specified aeroplane models.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, mandate certain safety directives for Piper PA-36 (Pawnee Brave) Series Aeroplanes. In the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, AD/PA-36/14 Amendment 1 pertains to the Rudder Control Horn Attachment Bolts, establishing requirements for their inspection and modification. The directive applies to specific serial numbers of the PA-36-285/300 and PA-36-375 models, listed under the applicability section. Under section 1, it is required that the Rudder Control Horn Attachment Bolts be visually inspected to ensure they are tight. This inspection is a critical safety measure aimed at preventing any potential separation of the rudder horn, which could compromise the aircraft's control. Section 2 further requires the bolts to be inspected and modified in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 495B, if necessary. The directive allows for the pilot in command to perform this inspection if the aircraft is maintained under ANO 100.5.1, in which case no additional certification is needed. For other cases, certification by a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer is required. Compliance with these directives is crucial, as outlined in the regulation. Section 1 must be adhered to at each daily or overnight inspection following the directive's issuance on 10 August 1981 until the requirements of Section 2 are met. Aircraft inspected according to the original directive are considered compliant with this amendment. Section 2 must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after the directive's issuance unless the inspection and modification have already been performed as per the original directive. Breaches of these regulations can have significant consequences. The legislation does not explicitly detail specific penalties but indicates that non-compliance could lead to safety issues, including potential rudder separation, which could result in severe operational risks and legal ramifications. The overarching framework of the Civil Aviation Regulations may impose further penalties or actions in case of non-compliance with airworthiness directives, which can include fines or other enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.