AD/PA-42/14 - Tailcone Drain Holes

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-42/14 in 1987 as part of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 to address safety concerns with Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to all models within the specified series, aiming to mitigate the risk of accumulated debris blocking tailcone drain holes, which could lead to water freezing and potential obstruction of control cables and pulleys. The objective of this AD is to ensure that maintenance actions are implemented to prevent such issues, with compliance required at the next scheduled inspection or after 50 hours of time in service following 4 June 1987, whichever comes first. This regulatory measure was enacted by CASA to enhance the safety standards of civil aviation in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) concerning various aircraft, including the Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) Series Aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all models listed in the requirement document, necessitating compliance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 857 to address issues with tailcone drain holes. The regulation mandates that the specified action be taken at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release, following the directive's issuance date of 4 June 1987, or after 50 hours of time in service from that date, whichever comes first. This requirement is intended to prevent the accumulation of debris that could block existing drain holes, leading to water freezing and potential obstruction of control cables and pulleys. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this regulation is national, applying across Australia as a matter of Commonwealth legislation. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this specific directive, and its application is not extended or restricted through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39, include provisions under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. One such directive is AD/PA-42/14 concerning the Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) Series aeroplanes, focusing on the tailcone drain holes (Section 6/87). This directive applies to all models specified in the Requirement Document and mandates compliance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 857. Compliance must be achieved at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release, following the date of 4 June 1987, or after 50 hours of service time from the same date, whichever comes first. The obligations imposed by this directive require operators of Piper PA-42 aeroplanes to ensure that the tailcone drain holes are maintained in accordance with the specified service bulletin. This involves taking specific actions to prevent the accumulation of debris that could block the existing drain holes, which in turn could lead to water freezing and subsequent obstruction of control cables and pulleys. Operators must therefore ensure that any required modifications or maintenance actions are carried out to maintain the integrity and safety of the aeroplane’s tailcone drainage system. Failure to comply with AD/PA-42/14 may result in significant safety risks, potentially leading to obstruction of critical flight control mechanisms. The regulations do not explicitly detail civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance within the provided text, but generally, non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to severe consequences under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. This includes potential fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other enforcement actions that could affect the operator’s ability to conduct flight operations. Such penalties are intended to ensure that all operators adhere to the safety standards set forth to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the aviation system.