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-38/24 Elevator Control Travel - Modification 2/85
Applicability: All model PA-38-112 with S/Nos. 38-78A0001 to 38-82A0122. Requirement: Piper SB No. 800.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 28 February 1985 or at the next scheduled inspection for maintenance release issue after 28 February 1985, which ever is the later.
Background: It has been reported that when either control wheel is full AFT and an upward-and- forward pressure is applied, the potential exists that the pilot may be unable to move the control yoke out of the full AFT position.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serve to govern the safe operation of civil aircraft within Australian airspace. This legislation aims to ensure that all civil aviation activities are conducted in a manner that minimises the risk to public safety. One particular legislative instrument, F2006B05963, addresses a specific safety concern associated with Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) series aeroplanes, specifically mandating modifications to the elevator control travel. The policy objective of this instrument is to mitigate the risk of pilots being unable to adjust the control yoke from a full aft position, thereby enhancing flight safety. This directive applies to all model PA-38-112 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 38-78A0001 to 38-82A0122 and requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1985 or at the next scheduled inspection thereafter, ensuring that any necessary modifications are promptly implemented.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This particular directive, AD/PA-38/24, applies to all Piper PA-38-112 series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 38-78A0001 to 38-82A0122. This regulation mandates compliance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 800, which requires modifications to the elevator control travel to ensure that pilots can adequately adjust the control yoke from a full aft position. The directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1985 or at the next scheduled inspection for maintenance release, whichever is later. This regulation is applicable to the Commonwealth of Australia and encompasses all relevant aviation entities operating within its jurisdiction. The directive does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, and its application is extended through the subordinate instruments of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105 (sub-part A), establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes specific directives for aircraft types, such as the Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) Series Aeroplanes. Under this directive, AD/PA-38/24 pertains to the elevator control travel modification, focusing on preventing the control yoke from being locked in a full aft position (section 2/85). This directive applies to all model PA-38-112 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 38-78A0001 to 38-82A0122 (section 2/85). To comply with this directive, Piper SB No. 800 must be implemented, ensuring the necessary modifications are made to the elevator control system (section 2/85). Compliance must occur within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1985, or at the next scheduled inspection for maintenance release after 28 February 1985, whichever is later (section 2/85).
The obligations imposed by this directive are straightforward but critical for ensuring flight safety. Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the specified modifications are carried out as per Piper SB No. 800. This involves making necessary adjustments to the elevator control system to prevent the control yoke from locking in the full aft position, which could potentially lead to loss of control during flight. These modifications must be performed by authorised personnel and verified to meet the requirements outlined in the directive. Additionally, operators must maintain accurate records of compliance, ensuring that the modifications were carried out within the specified timeframe.
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/PA-38/24 can lead to significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives is an offence, which may result in enforcement actions by CASA. Potential penalties for breaching these regulations include fines, which can be substantial, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance. Additionally, continued operation of a non-compliant aircraft can result in the aircraft being grounded until the necessary modifications are completed, thereby affecting operational readiness and potentially incurring further financial costs. Furthermore, in severe cases, CASA may take more stringent measures, including the revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, which would render the aircraft unfit for flight until all compliance issues are resolved.