AD/PA-42/15 - Engine Mount Tubes and Barrel Nuts

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, encompass various safety directives including the Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) Series Aeroplanes AD/PA-42/15, which was enacted to address the specific issue of cracks in engine mount tubes at the barrel nuts of the specified aircraft models. This legislative instrument was introduced to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III aeroplanes, thereby enhancing flight safety and mitigating potential risks associated with structural integrity failures. The regulations were enacted by the Australian Government to provide clear directives for compliance, thereby ensuring that all relevant aircraft meet necessary safety standards. The policy objective, as stated within the text, is to mandate specific actions in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin 873 Part I to rectify and prevent the identified safety concerns.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes AD/PA-42/15 concerning Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) Series Aeroplanes. This regulation applies to all model PA-42 Cheyenne III aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 42-5527001 to 42-5527038. The directive mandates compliance with the requirements set out in Piper Service Bulletin 873 Part I, which addresses instances where cracks have been reported in the engine mount tubes at the engine attachment barrel nuts. This requirement is intended to ensure the continued airworthiness of the specified aircraft models by necessitating specific actions to rectify or mitigate the identified safety issue. The regulation is applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and any exemptions or exclusions are not specified within this particular directive but would typically be addressed in the overarching regulatory framework.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contains an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) Series Aeroplanes. The directive, AD/PA-42/15, focuses on the engine mount tubes and barrel nuts of these aircraft. This directive applies to all model PA-42 Cheyenne III aircraft with serial numbers (S/Nos) ranging from 42-5527001 to 42-5527038. The requirement outlined in the directive mandates compliance with the instructions provided in Piper Service Bulletin (SB) 873 Part I. To meet this requirement, aircraft owners or operators must follow the specific procedures and actions outlined in the SB to address the identified issues. The AD imposes specific obligations on the owners or operators of the affected aircraft. They must ensure that the actions required by Piper SB 873 Part I are carried out correctly and in a timely manner. This includes inspecting the engine mount tubes and barrel nuts for any signs of cracks or damage, and making necessary repairs or replacements as specified in the SB. The directive aims to ensure that the identified safety issues are resolved to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Compliance with the SB is essential to address the potential risk of cracks in the engine mount tubes, which could compromise the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in AD/PA-42/15 can lead to significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can result in a range of penalties and consequences. If an aircraft is found to be non-compliant, it may be subject to grounding until the necessary actions are taken to meet the directive's requirements. Additionally, operators who fail to comply with the directive may face enforcement actions from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions can include fines and other sanctions. In severe cases, CASA may suspend or revoke the aircraft's Certificate of Airworthiness, which would prevent the aircraft from operating until the issues are resolved. The specific penalties for non-compliance can vary, but they are intended to enforce the importance of maintaining the safety standards outlined in the regulations.