AD/PA-38/3 Amdt 1 - Vertical Fin/Rudder Leading Edge - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an amendment under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) that pertains to airworthiness directives for Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) series aeroplanes, as detailed in AD/PA-38/3 Amendment 1. This legislative instrument was enacted to address issues related to the vertical fin and rudder leading edge of specific Piper PA-38 models, aiming to ensure safety standards are met through prescribed inspections and modifications. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by CASA, were enacted by the Australian Parliament to provide a comprehensive framework for regulating civil aviation within Australia, and this specific amendment was introduced to mitigate potential safety risks associated with the identified aircraft components. The policy objective of this amendment is to enhance the safety of civil aviation by ensuring that the specified aeroplanes meet the necessary safety standards through regular inspections and timely modifications as mandated.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, applies to the Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the vertical fin/rudder leading edge inspection and modification outlined in AD/PA-38/3 Amendment 1. This legislation mandates specific requirements for all models of the PA-38-112 series with serial numbers ranging from 38-78A0001 to 38-78A0215 and 38-78A0217 to 38-78A0226. The regulations stipulate that these aircraft must adhere to the inspection intervals not exceeding 25 hours of time in service and must implement any required modifications within 50 hours of time in service following 20 November 1978. The authority for these requirements is derived from Piper Service Bulletin No. 607A, Parts I and II, or the Federal Aviation Administration’s AD 78-22-01, Amendment 39-3323. This legislation governs the conduct and safety standards for the specified aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring compliance with civil aviation safety directives.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates certain actions regarding the airworthiness of Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) series aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers within the specified ranges. The key sections involved are AD/PA-38/3 Amendment 1, which addresses the vertical fin and rudder leading edge. This directive applies to all models of the PA-38-112 series with serial numbers 38-78A0001 to 38-78A0215 and 38-78A0217 to 38-78A0226 (section 1). The document that outlines these requirements is either Piper Service Bulletin No. 607A, Parts I and II, or FAA AD 78-22-01, Amendment 39-3323 (section 1). Compliance with this regulation necessitates regular inspection and modification of the vertical fin and rudder leading edge. Specifically, operators must inspect the specified components at intervals not exceeding 25 hours of time in service (section 1(a)). Furthermore, any modifications required must be completed within 50 hours of time in service following 20 November 1978 (section 1(b)). The directive is clear that these measures must be adhered to strictly to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aircraft. Operators and owners of the specified Piper PA-38 aeroplanes must ensure that the inspections and modifications are performed by qualified personnel and that all work is logged appropriately. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to serious consequences, as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) takes airworthiness standards very seriously. Non-compliance can result in enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft until the necessary work is completed. In terms of penalties, while the specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument, the general framework of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 indicates that significant fines and potential criminal charges could be imposed for serious breaches. The seriousness of the consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the stipulated inspection and modification intervals to avoid any legal repercussions.