AD/PA-36/21 - Rudder Cable and Seat Belt Attachment Shackles - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, were introduced to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation activities within Australia. Part 39 - 105 of these regulations, specifically Airworthiness Directives for Piper PA-36 (Pawnee Brave) Series Aeroplanes, aims to maintain the airworthiness of these aircraft by issuing safety directives that address identified issues. One such directive, AD/PA-36/21, focuses on the inspection of rudder cable and seat belt attachment shackles, as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 729. This directive was introduced to address a problem where certain shackles used for attaching rudder cables and seat belts to the aircraft might develop cracks, thereby compromising the safety of the aircraft. The policy objective behind this directive is to ensure the continued safety of the aircraft by requiring regular inspections of the specified components within a stipulated timeframe.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate airworthiness directives for civil aviation safety. This regulation applies to all models of Piper PA-36-285/300 and PA-36-375 aeroplanes with specific serial numbers as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 729 or in any subsequent revisions of that bulletin. The directive requires inspection of the rudder cable and seat belt attachment shackles within 25 hours of time in service after 10 November 1981, due to potential cracks found in certain shackles. This applies to aircraft operating within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring compliance with national civil aviation safety standards. The regulation does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, and its application is enforced through the issuance of the airworthiness directive by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The scope of this legislation extends to all relevant aircraft entities and industries within the specified jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The main sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/PA-36/21, pertain to the inspection of rudder cable and seat belt attachment shackles for certain Piper PA-36 aircraft models. According to section (1), this directive applies to all models PA-36-285/300 and PA-36-375 aeroplanes with serial numbers referenced in Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No. 729 or subsequent revisions. Section (2) specifies that these inspections must be carried out within 25 hours time in service after 10 November 1981. The directive is grounded in the necessity to address potential cracks in certain shackles (P/N 486-566, MS 20115-5) used for attaching the rudder cable and upper seat belt cables, as highlighted in the background of the directive. The obligations and requirements imposed by AD/PA-36/21 on the relevant parties are straightforward but critical. Aircraft operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the specified inspections are conducted within the stipulated timeframe. This involves a thorough examination of the rudder cable and seat belt attachment shackles to identify any signs of cracks or other structural weaknesses. The directive mandates that any identified issues must be rectified promptly to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, and failure to adhere to the inspection requirements can result in serious safety concerns. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline specific consequences for non-compliance with AD/PA-36/21. Although the specific penalties for breaches of this directive are not detailed within the legislative instrument itself, general regulations under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 can be applied. These may include substantial fines, the suspension or revocation of aircraft operation certificates, and potential criminal charges for operators or maintenance personnel who negligently fail to comply with airworthiness directives. The seriousness of such breaches underscores the importance of adhering to the specified inspection and rectification procedures to ensure the safety of all flights.