AD/PA-36/19 Amdt 1 - Elevator and Aileron System Control Rod End Bearings - Inspection and Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, govern all aspects of aviation safety, including the maintenance and operation of aircraft. Part 39, specifically, addresses Airworthiness Directives (ADs), which are legally enforceable orders issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure that aircraft remain airworthy. These ADs aim to address identified safety issues through the implementation of specific requirements. AD/PA-36/19 Amendment 1 pertains to Piper PA-36 (Pawnee Brave) series aeroplanes, focusing on the inspection and replacement of elevator and aileron system control rod end bearings. This directive was introduced to mitigate potential safety risks associated with the wear and degradation of these components, ensuring that all applicable aircraft maintain the necessary safety standards. The policy objective is to maintain and enhance aviation safety by enforcing regular inspections and timely replacements of critical components. The Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Regulations 1973, administered by CASA, require that certain safety directives be issued and complied with to maintain airworthiness. AD/PA-36/19 Amendment 1 targets specific serial numbers of the Piper PA-36 series, mandating inspections and necessary replacements of the control rod end bearings for elevator and aileron systems. This directive ensures that these components, which are crucial for the aircraft's control and stability, are regularly maintained to prevent potential mechanical failures. The overarching aim is to uphold the highest safety standards in civil aviation, protecting both passengers and crew by addressing known safety issues proactively.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/PA-36/19 Amendment 1, applies to all Piper PA-36 (Pawnee Brave) Series aeroplanes within defined serial number ranges. This regulation pertains to the inspection and replacement of the elevator and aileron system control rod end bearings for certain models of the aircraft, specifically those with serial numbers between 36-7360001 to 36-7860116 for PA-36-285/300 models and 36-7802002 to 36-7802049 for PA-36-375 models, with certain exceptions listed in Piper Service Bulletin No. 608A. This directive is applicable on a national level throughout the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by CASA to ensure compliance with civil aviation safety standards. The directive mandates that inspections and necessary replacements must be carried out at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service, in accordance with the specified service bulletin, to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aircraft.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, as amended by AD/PA-36/19, pertain specifically to Piper PA-36 (Pawnee Brave) Series Aeroplanes (section 1). This particular airworthiness directive, Amendment 1, focuses on the inspection and replacement of elevator and aileron system control rod end bearings (section 2). The directive applies to all models PA-36-285/300 with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 36-7360001 to 36-7860116, and all model PA-36-375 with S/Nos. from 36-7802002 to 36-7802049, excluding those omitted in Service Bulletin (SB) No. 608A (section 3). Compliance with these requirements must be achieved by conducting inspections at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the components are replaced as per the instructions in SB No. 608A (section 4). Under this legislation, the primary obligation for the operators and maintainers of the specified Piper PA-36 aeroplanes is to ensure that the elevator and aileron system control rod end bearings are inspected and replaced according to the schedule and specifications provided in SB No. 608A (section 1). This involves adhering to the stipulated intervals of not more than 100 hours of time in service to maintain compliance. Failure to adhere to these requirements could result in the aeroplanes being considered non-airworthy, which would prevent them from being operated until the necessary inspections and replacements have been completed (section 4). The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, impose significant consequences for breaches of the specified airworthiness directives (section 5). Any non-compliance with the inspection and replacement requirements for elevator and aileron system control rod end bearings could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The penalties for non-compliance may include fines, suspension, or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and in severe cases, criminal charges (section 6). The maximum penalties for such offences can vary, but they are established under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and other related legislation, reflecting the seriousness of ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft (section 7).