AD/PA-42/22 - Upper Main Landing Gear Housing Lower Side Brace Link Lug

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, introduced in 1998 under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, serves to ensure that aircraft meet the safety standards set forth by the Commonwealth of Australia. The particular legislative instrument F2006B05989 pertains to Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) Series aeroplanes, specifically addressing a noted issue of small cracks developing in the sharp radius at the lower side brace link lugs of the main landing gear upper housing. This legislative measure was enacted to mitigate potential safety risks associated with such structural failures by mandating a dye penetrant inspection of the main landing gear upper housing in compliance with Piper Service Bulletin 969. The objective of this airworthiness directive is to ensure the ongoing airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft by requiring inspections and necessary maintenance as outlined. This is achieved through the Australian Parliament, with the goal of maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation. The directive applies to specific Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III models with particular serial numbers as identified in Piper Service Bulletin 969, and it outlines the compliance requirements and intervals for these inspections to be conducted.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III, PA-42-720 Cheyenne IIIA, and PA-42-720R Cheyenne IIIA aeroplanes with serial numbers listed in Piper Service Bulletin (SB) 969. The regulation mandates a dye penetrant inspection of the main landing gear upper housing to address the issue of small cracks developing in the sharp radius at the lower side brace link lugs. Compliance must be achieved according to the thresholds and intervals specified in Piper SB 969. Notably, the installation of a new P/N 57680-09 main landing gear upper housing effectively cancels the inspection requirements outlined in this Airworthiness Directive. This regulation ensures the continued safety of the specified aircraft models by requiring regular inspections and addressing potential structural weaknesses.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address airworthiness directives concerning the Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) series aeroplanes. The regulation in focus here is AD/PA-42/22 (paragraph 105.165). This directive mandates a dye penetrant inspection of the upper main landing gear housing, particularly at the lower side brace link lugs, for Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III, PA-42-720 Cheyenne IIIA, and PA42-720R Cheyenne IIIA aircraft with specified serial numbers as detailed in Piper Service Bulletin (SB) 969. Compliance with this directive is to be conducted in accordance with the intervals and thresholds outlined in Piper SB 969. Notably, the installation of a new part, P/N 57680-09 main landing gear upper housing, exempts the aircraft from the inspection requirements of this airworthiness directive. The Civil Aviation Regulations impose several obligations on the operators of Piper PA-42 series aeroplanes as governed by AD/PA-42/22. Firstly, operators must ensure that a dye penetrant inspection of the upper main landing gear housing is carried out as per the instructions in Piper SB 969. This involves identifying and addressing any small cracks that may develop at the lower side brace link lugs. Secondly, operators must adhere strictly to the specified intervals and thresholds for these inspections, which are detailed in Piper SB 969. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the aeroplane being deemed unairworthy, thus affecting its operational status. In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the Civil Aviation Regulations provide for both civil and administrative penalties. Specifically, operators who fail to comply with the inspection requirements outlined in AD/PA-42/22 may face enforcement actions from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions could include fines or other penalties as stipulated by the regulations. While the exact maximum penalties are not detailed in the legislative text provided, they generally encompass a range of financial sanctions and potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. It is imperative for operators to adhere to these directives to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of their aircraft.