Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, introduced the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically addressing the maintenance and safety standards for aircraft within Australia. This regulation was enacted to ensure that all aircraft meet the necessary safety standards and to address specific safety concerns identified through testing and analysis. One such directive, AD/PA-38/21, pertains to the Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) Series Aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the vertical fin forward spar attachment plate replacement life limits for model PA-38-112 with specific serial numbers. The directive was introduced to mitigate risks identified through fatigue testing, ensuring that these aircraft meet stringent safety requirements over their operational life. The Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) Series Aeroplanes directive was established by CASA to ensure compliance with safety standards as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 710.3/83. The objective of AD/PA-38/21 is to mandate the installation and replacement of the forward fin spar attachment plate and support brackets kit at specified intervals, namely at 3000 hours of time in service and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 5000 hours. This directive aims to address fatigue-related issues identified in the empennage structure, thereby enhancing the overall safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all persons and entities involved with the operation of the Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) series aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers ranging from 38-81A0001 to 38-82A0101. This regulation is concerned with the maintenance and safety standards of the vertical fin forward spar attachment plate, setting out mandatory replacement life limits to ensure continued airworthiness. The Act has a national jurisdictional reach across the Commonwealth of Australia, enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The regulation mandates that at 3000 hours of time in service, the forward fin spar attachment plate and support brackets kit, identified as Piper P/N 764 421, must be installed, with subsequent replacements occurring at intervals not exceeding 5000 hours of time in service using Piper P/N 77553-05. This directive is underpinned by the findings of fatigue testing of the empennage structure, as detailed in Piper Service Bulletin No. 710.3/83, ensuring that all relevant parties comply with these specified maintenance requirements.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the AD/PA-38/21 Airworthiness Directive, pertain to the maintenance and replacement requirements for the vertical fin forward spar attachment plate of Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) series aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers ranging from 38-81A0001 to 38-82A0101 (Section 39-105). According to the directive, the forward fin spar attachment plate and support brackets kit, identified as Piper P/N 764 421, must be installed at 3000 hours of time in service (Section 39-105(1)). Following this initial installation, the forward fin spar attachment plate, identified as Piper P/N 77553-05, must be replaced at intervals not exceeding 5000 hours of time in service (Section 39-105(2)). These provisions impose specific obligations on the operators and maintenance personnel of the affected aircraft. Operators must ensure that the installation and replacement of the forward fin spar attachment plate are carried out in accordance with the specified time intervals. Maintenance personnel are required to adhere strictly to the procedures outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 710.3/83, which details the replacement process and specifications for the components involved (Section 39-105(3)). Compliance with these directives is crucial to maintaining the airworthiness and safety standards of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in the AD/PA-38/21 Airworthiness Directive may result in significant civil or criminal consequences. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance with this directive, violations of airworthiness directives generally carry severe penalties. Civil penalties can include fines, and in more severe cases, criminal penalties may apply, which can result in imprisonment. The exact penalties may vary depending on the nature and severity of the breach but are intended to ensure that all safety requirements are met to protect the integrity of civil aviation (Section 39-105(4)).