AD/PA-38/22 - Aft Vertical Fin Spar - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, address various safety aspects of aviation operations in Australia. One specific legislative instrument, F2006B05961, introduced an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) Series Aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the inspection of the aft vertical fin spar. This directive was enacted to address the identified risk of cracks developing in the aft vertical fin spar and bulkhead of certain model PA-38-112 aircraft, which could compromise the structural integrity and safety of the aeroplanes. The policy objective is to ensure that all applicable aircraft undergo regular inspections to mitigate potential safety hazards, thereby maintaining high standards of aviation safety. The AD mandates that inspections of the aft vertical fin spar must be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1983 for aircraft that have reached 2500 hours of time in service, with subsequent inspections to be performed at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service. This directive is based on the findings from Piper Service Bulletin No. 745 Part IV and aims to ensure compliance with safety standards by mandating regular inspections to prevent structural failures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address the airworthiness directives for Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) series aeroplanes, including the AD/PA-38/22 directive regarding the aft vertical fin spar inspection. This legislation applies to all model PA-38-112 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 38-78A0001 to 38-80A0198. The regulation mandates compliance with the inspection requirements detailed in Piper Service Bulletin No. 745 Part IV. The inspection must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1983 for aircraft that have reached 2500 hours of time in service and must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service thereafter. This regulatory framework is designed to ensure the ongoing safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft by addressing the risk of cracks developing in the aft vertical fin spar and bulkhead, as identified through manufacturer testing.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, include detailed provisions concerning the airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models. In this instance, AD/PA-38/22 pertains to the Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) series aeroplanes, focusing on the requirement for an inspection of the aft vertical fin spar. According to Section 3/83, this directive applies to all model PA-38-112 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 38-78A0001 to 38-80A0198. The inspection is mandated within 100 hours of time in service following 31 March 1983 for aircraft that have already accumulated 2500 hours of service. Subsequently, these inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of service (Section 3/83). The directive is grounded in Piper Service Bulletin No. 745 Part IV, which highlights the necessity for this safety measure based on the manufacturer's findings. The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties involved are clear and specific. Operators of the affected Piper PA-38-112 aircraft must ensure that the required inspections of the aft vertical fin spar are performed in accordance with the stipulated timelines (Section 3/83). This includes maintaining accurate records of the aircraft's service hours and scheduling the inspections precisely as outlined. The inspections must be carried out by appropriately qualified personnel, and any identified issues must be addressed promptly to maintain the aircraft's airworthiness status. Failure to comply with these obligations can lead to serious safety implications and potential legal repercussions. In terms of enforcement, breaches of the airworthiness directives can result in significant consequences. Section 3/83 does not explicitly state penalties but indicates that non-compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include fines, the grounding of the aircraft, or even the revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate. Furthermore, severe breaches can result in criminal charges, which may lead to imprisonment. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the breach and are determined in accordance with the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and other relevant legislation. Operators must, therefore, adhere strictly to the stipulated inspection intervals to avoid these potential adverse outcomes.