AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-38/27 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-38/27
Amdt 2
Wing Fatigue 5/2004
Applicability: All PA-38-112 aircraft.
Requirement: | 1. | Retire the wing and associated structure OR install a spar strap per FAA STC SA01130SE (Sterling Aviation Technologies Inc.), issued 10 October 2002. |
| 2. | If the spar strap has been installed, visually inspect the spar caps and strap for cracking. Refer to Piper PA-38-112 Maintenance Manual, Periodic Inspection, Section E, Wing Group, items 9 and 10. The visual inspection can be done at the same time as these items. |
Compliance: | 1. | Within 200 hrs time in service (TIS) after 26 February 1998 or at 11000 hrs TIS, whichever occurs last. |
| | If a wing strap is installed per FAA STC SA01130SE (Sterling Aviation Technologies Inc - See Note 2), then the new retirement life is to be calculated using the following formula: |
New retirement life = 21,950 hrs - ( 0.3 x hrs accumulated prior to modification )
Note 1: Example 1, an aircraft with 9,000 hours already accumulated without the modification:
New retirement life = 21,950 - (0.3 x 9,000) = 19,250 hours.
Example 2, an aircraft with 11,000 hours already accumulated without the modification:
New retirement life = 21,950 - (0.3 x 11,000) = 18,650 hours.
Note 2: For assistance with incorporating this STC, write to the STC owner, Mr Paul
M. Sterling, 13113 SE 228th Place, Kent, WA, USA, 98031.
2. Initially, at 100 flight hours after installation of the wing spar strap, then every 100 flight hours thereafter.
Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-38/27 Amdt 2 (continued)
This Amendment becomes effective on 13 May 2004.
Background: This AD mandates the replacement requirements and schedule listed in the Maintenance Manual and the Country of Origin FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet.
This amendment includes a note with contact details for the STC owner, so that owners and operators may obtain assistance in incorporating the modification. There is no change to the requirements or compliance.
Amendment 1 provided an option for the incorporation of an FAA approved Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), which provides for a wing spar reinforcement strap to be installed to extend wing life. A formula is also provided so that a new retirement life can be calculated for aircraft that incorporate the modification listed in the STC. An ongoing inspection requirement, which is specified in the STC, is also added for aircraft that have the spar strap installed.
The original issue of this AD became effective on 26 February 1998.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 2 April 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 21 April 2004.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-38/27 Amdt 2, issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998), was enacted to address the problem of wing fatigue in Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft by mandating specific actions to be taken in response to identified unsafe conditions. The policy objective of the AD is to enhance safety by requiring either the retirement of the wing and associated structure or the installation of a spar strap as per FAA STC SA0130SE, followed by stringent ongoing inspections. This amendment aims to mitigate the risk of wing fatigue, thereby maintaining the structural integrity and operational safety of the aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-38/27 Amdt 2 applies to all PA-38-112 aircraft, specifically Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) Series Aeroplanes. The directive mandates that either the wing and associated structure be retired or a spar strap be installed according to FAA STC SA01130SE issued by Sterling Aviation Technologies Inc. The requirement to comply with the directive must be fulfilled within 200 hours of time in service after 26 February 1998 or at 11,000 hours of time in service, whichever occurs last. If a wing spar strap has been installed, visual inspections of the spar caps and strap for cracking must be conducted in accordance with the Piper PA-38-112 Maintenance Manual. This AD is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies nationally across Australia. The directive does not provide specific exclusions, but it does offer a formula to calculate the new retirement life of the aircraft if the spar strap modification is incorporated. Subordinate instruments may further detail the compliance and inspection requirements as necessary.
Key Provisions
This legislative instrument revokes the previous Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-38/27 Amdt 1 and introduces Amendment 2 (AD/PA-38/27 Amdt 2) for Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) series aeroplanes, specifically targeting wing fatigue issues. The applicability of this directive (Section 1) extends to all PA-38-112 aircraft. The requirement section (Section 2) stipulates that the owner or operator must either retire the wing and associated structure or install a spar strap in accordance with FAA STC SA01130SE. If the spar strap is installed, visual inspections of the spar caps and strap for cracking are mandated, as outlined in the Piper PA-38-112 Maintenance Manual (Section 2). The compliance section (Section 3) outlines the timeframes for these actions, requiring the specified actions to be taken within 200 hours of time in service (TIS) after 26 February 1998, or at 11,000 hours TIS, whichever occurs last. If a wing strap is installed, the new retirement life is calculated using a specific formula provided in the directive (Section 3, Note 1). Additionally, if a wing spar strap is installed, initial inspections are required at 100 flight hours post-installation, followed by inspections every 100 flight hours thereafter (Section 3, Note 2).
The obligations and requirements imposed by this Airworthiness Directive are centred around ensuring the safety and airworthiness of Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) series aeroplanes by addressing wing fatigue issues. Owners and operators of these aircraft must comply with the directive by either retiring the wing and associated structure or installing a spar strap as specified by the FAA STC SA01130SE. If the spar strap is chosen, it is imperative that the aircraft undergo the required inspections for spar cap and strap cracking, as per the Piper PA-38-112 Maintenance Manual. The directive also mandates adherence to specific timelines for these actions and ongoing inspections if the spar strap is installed. Moreover, the directive provides a formula for calculating the new retirement life of the aircraft if the spar strap is installed, ensuring that all maintenance activities align with the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
In terms of legal consequences, failure to comply with the requirements outlined in the Airworthiness Directive can lead to serious repercussions. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the text, non-compliance with CASA directives typically results in enforcement actions, which may include fines, suspension of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, or other regulatory sanctions. The severity of the penalties often depends on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, with repeat or significant violations potentially leading to more severe consequences. Operators and owners are, therefore, under a legal obligation to ensure strict adherence to the requirements to avoid any legal ramifications.