COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-42/20 Main Landing Gear Forward Side Brace 8/90
Applicability: PA-42-1000 Cheyenne 400/400LS with S/Nos 42-5527001 and up.
Requirement: For aircraft with S/Nos 42-557001 through 42-5527035; Action in accordance with Piper Mandatory SB 817C, Parts I and II dated 21 May 1990, and
For aircraft with S/Nos 42-5527036 and up; Action in accordance with Piper Mandatory SB 817C Part II dated 21 May 1990.
Compliance: For Part I: Unless already accomplished, prior to exceeding 100 hours time in
service, or at the next scheduled inspection for issue of Maintenance Release after 9 August 1990, whichever occurs later, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 3000 hours time in service.
For Part II: Prior to exceeding 1800 hours time in service after initial installation and thereafter at periods not exceeding 200 hours time in service until 3000 hours time in service life limit is reached, and
Whenever the landing gear has been extended at speeds above 170 knots IAS (VLo).
Background: Cracking has been experienced in the MLG forward side braces. Failure of a brace could lead to landing gear collapse. The manufacturer has considered replacement of original side braces with improved parts, together with repetitive inspections and a life limit on improved parts as mandatory.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, include the AD/PA-42/20 Airworthiness Directive pertaining to the Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) series aeroplanes, specifically addressing the main landing gear forward side brace. This directive was enacted to address the issue of cracking in the main landing gear forward side braces of certain Cheyenne III aeroplanes, which could lead to catastrophic failure and compromise the safety of the aircraft. The objective of this legislation is to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating specific maintenance actions and inspections to prevent such failures. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority of the Parliament of Australia, has implemented this directive to mitigate the identified safety risks.
The AD/PA-42/20 applies to specific serial numbers of PA-42-1000 Cheyenne 400/400LS aeroplanes, requiring adherence to Piper’s mandatory Service Bulletin 817C, Parts I and II, dated 21 May 1990. This legislation mandates that corrective actions be taken before certain time in service thresholds are reached and mandates regular inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards. The policy objective is to enhance the operational safety of the affected aircraft by preventing the failure of the main landing gear forward side braces.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) Series aeroplanes. This legislation mandates specific requirements for aircraft with serial numbers within the specified range, namely those from 42-5527001 through 42-5527035 and those from 42-5527036 onwards. The directive outlines the necessary actions in accordance with Piper Mandatory Service Bulletin 817C, dated 21 May 1990, for these aircraft. Compliance is required to address the identified issue of cracking in the main landing gear forward side braces, which could potentially lead to landing gear collapse. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this regulation is national, extending throughout Australia as per the Commonwealth's regulatory framework. Subordinate instruments may further detail the application and enforcement of these directives, ensuring that all specified aircraft meet the outlined safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD) for certain aircraft models. One such directive, AD/PA-42/20, pertains to the Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) series aeroplanes, focusing on the main landing gear forward side brace (section 8/90). This directive applies to the PA-42-1000 Cheyenne 400/400LS with serial numbers (S/Nos) starting from 42-5527001 onwards. The directive mandates that aircraft with S/Nos 42-5527001 through 42-5527035 must adhere to Piper Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) 817C, Parts I and II, dated 21 May 1990, while aircraft with S/Nos 42-5527036 and upwards must follow Part II of the same bulletin.
Compliance with AD/PA-42/20 involves specific actions and timeframes. For Part I, the required actions must be completed before the aircraft accumulates 100 hours of time in service or at the next scheduled inspection for the issuance of a Maintenance Release after 9 August 1990, whichever comes later. Subsequent compliance must occur at intervals not exceeding 3000 hours of time in service. For Part II, compliance must occur before the aircraft reaches 1800 hours of time in service after initial installation, and then at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service until a total of 3000 hours is reached. Additionally, the landing gear must be inspected whenever it has been extended at speeds above 170 knots Indicated Airspeed (IAS).
The directive imposes obligations on aircraft owners and operators to ensure that the required actions are taken as specified. This includes following the manufacturer's service bulletins and adhering to the outlined timeframes for inspections and maintenance. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to serious safety issues, as the directive addresses the potential for cracking in the main landing gear forward side brace, which could result in landing gear collapse.
Violations of the AD/PA-42/20 directive can result in significant penalties and legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations may impose civil penalties for non-compliance, which can include fines up to the maximum allowable under the legislation. Additionally, operators whose aircraft fail to comply with ADs may face criminal charges, leading to imprisonment if found guilty. The severity of these consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the mandated maintenance and inspection schedules to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft.