COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-38/16
Amdt 1
Main Landing Gear Attach Bolts - Modification 9/83
Applicability: All model PA-38-112 with S/Nos. 38-78A0001 to 38-82A0110. Document: Piper SB No. 673A.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished within 100 hours time in service after 31 December, 1982.
Note: Aircraft which have complied with SB673 are required to comply with SB.673A.
Background: Amdt 1 to AD/PA-38/16 is reissued to avoid possible ambiguity. Piper SB673 is superseded by SB673A. As it extends serial number effectivity, introduces new improved high tensile bolts and provides proper installation and torqueing procedures.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the regulatory body responsible for the safety of civil aviation in Australia, and under this mandate, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to ensure the safety of aircraft operations within the country. One of the critical areas of focus is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address specific safety issues identified in certain types of aircraft. The Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-38/16 Amendment 1, which pertains to the main landing gear attach bolts, was introduced to address safety concerns related to the structural integrity of these components. The directive aims to ensure that the bolts, which are crucial for the safe operation of the aircraft, meet updated safety standards by replacing them with improved high tensile bolts and providing proper installation and torqueing procedures. The policy objective behind this amendment is to mitigate potential risks associated with the failure of these critical components, thereby enhancing the overall safety of the aircraft in operation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertain to the Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) series aeroplanes. The regulations apply to all model PA-38-112 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 38-78A0001 to 38-82A0110. Compliance with the Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-38/16 Amendment 1, which concerns the main landing gear attach bolts, is mandatory unless the modification has already been completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1982. It is important to note that aircraft which have already complied with Piper Service Bulletin 673 are additionally required to comply with SB673A. This amendment aims to clarify and extend the serial number effectivity, introduce new improved high tensile bolts, and provide proper installation and torqueing procedures. The scope of this legislation is confined to the specified model and serial number range of aeroplanes and applies nationally across the Commonwealth of Australia, with enforcement overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, contain detailed provisions for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australian airspace. Under this part, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issues Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address specific safety concerns. AD/PA-38/16 Amendment 1 pertains to Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) series aeroplanes, specifically targeting the modification of main landing gear attach bolts. This directive applies to all model PA-38-112 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 38-78A0001 to 38-82A0110 (section 105). The directive references Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No. 673A, which provides the necessary compliance details.
The AD/PA-38/16 Amendment 1 mandates that the specified aircraft must undergo a modification to their main landing gear attach bolts unless they have already been modified within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1982. This modification is crucial to address safety concerns related to the bolts' integrity. Additionally, aircraft that have already complied with the previous Piper Service Bulletin (SB673) must also adhere to the updated SB673A. This requirement ensures that the aircraft meets the latest safety standards and specifications set by CASA.
Failure to comply with AD/PA-38/16 Amendment 1 may result in serious safety risks, including potential structural failure of the landing gear. The regulations do not explicitly state specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences in this context, but non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to enforcement actions. These actions may include grounding of the aircraft, fines, and other regulatory penalties. Operators are expected to follow the directive meticulously to avoid any safety hazards and regulatory repercussions.