AD/PA-36/20 Amdt 1 - Engine Mount Attach Brackets - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, introduced by the Australian Parliament, establish comprehensive rules and standards for the safe operation of civil aviation within Australia. Among these regulations, Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives is crucial, as it mandates specific safety measures for certain aircraft models to ensure airworthiness. A pertinent example is AD/PA-36/20 Amendment 1, which addresses the inspection and modification of engine mount attach brackets for Piper PA-36 (Pawnee Brave) Series Aeroplanes. This amendment was enacted to address the identified issue of cracked engine mount brackets on aircraft outside the model effectivity of Piper Service Bulletin No. 615, thereby extending compliance requirements to all models PA36 aircraft and mandating the use of Piper Kit P/No. 763-877 for modifications. The policy objective is to enhance the structural integrity and safety of these aircraft, thereby reducing the risk of in-flight failures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically targeting all Piper PA-36 (Pawnee Brave) series aeroplanes. This directive mandates the inspection and modification of engine mount attach brackets to ensure safety, following documented procedures such as Piper Service Bulletin No. 615. The directive applies to all PA-36 models and requires compliance unless the specified inspections and modifications were already completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 January 1984, with subsequent inspections not exceeding intervals of 100 hours. The directive was issued due to instances of cracked engine mount brackets found on aircraft outside the effectivity period of Service Bulletin No. 615. Compliance with Piper Kit P/No. 763-877 is approved for use on all PA-36 aircraft to address these issues. This regulation has a national reach across Australia, administered under the Commonwealth and enforced by CASA, ensuring uniformity in aviation safety standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the requirements and procedures for maintaining airworthiness standards for aircraft in Australia. In this context, the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Piper PA-36 (Pawnee Brave) Series Aeroplanes, Amendment 1, addresses the inspection and modification of engine mount attach brackets (Section AD/PA-36/20Amdt 1). This directive requires all PA-36 models to undergo specific inspections and modifications unless they have already been addressed within the last 100 hours of service time after 31 January 1984, and then at intervals not exceeding 100 hours thereafter. This regulation is based on documented findings of cracked engine mount brackets on aircraft outside the model effectivity of Piper Service Bulletin No. 615. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and straightforward. Operators of PA-36 series aeroplanes must ensure that the engine mount attach brackets are inspected and, if necessary, modified using the approved Piper Kit P/No. 763-877. This requirement applies universally to all PA-36 models, regardless of their specific effectivity as per Piper SB No. 615. The compliance must be documented and verified by authorised personnel, ensuring that the aircraft remains airworthy and safe for operation. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to severe consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, non-compliance may result in penalties, which can be both civil and criminal, depending on the severity and intent behind the breach. The exact penalties for such violations are not explicitly stated in the provided excerpt but typically, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in fines, suspension of air operator certificates, and in severe cases, prosecution under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering strictly to the stipulated directives to maintain safety and regulatory compliance.