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-42/3 Tail Fin/Fuselage, Rivet Installation - Replacement 9/83
Applicability: All model PA-42 with S/Nos. listed in Piper Service Bulletin No. 765. Document: Piper S.B. No. 765.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30th September 1983.
Background: Field reports indicate that the rivets at the intersection of the tail fin/fuselage drag angle and tail fin front spar are working loose.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) were enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. Within this extensive regulatory framework, Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives governs the mandatory compliance of aircraft with specific safety standards. One such directive, AD/PA-42/3, pertains to Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) series aeroplanes, addressing an identified safety issue concerning the rivet installation at the tail fin/fuselage junction. The directive was introduced in response to field reports indicating that the rivets at this critical intersection were loosening, posing a potential risk to flight safety. The policy objective of AD/PA-42/3 is to ensure the airworthiness of affected aircraft by requiring the replacement of the rivets within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1983, as specified in Piper Service Bulletin No. 765.
The Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Regulations 1998 (Cth) were designed to ensure the highest safety standards for civil aviation operations within Australia. The Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-42/3 is an example of the regulatory measures in place to address specific safety concerns that may arise in aircraft operation. By mandating the compliance with the requirements outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 765, the directive aims to mitigate the risk associated with loose rivets at the tail fin/fuselage junction, thereby enhancing the overall safety and reliability of Piper PA-42 aeroplanes in Australian airspace. The directive reflects the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's commitment to proactive safety management and the continuous improvement of aviation safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) Series Aeroplanes, as outlined in Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, mandates specific maintenance requirements to address a recurring safety issue. This directive applies to all model PA-42 aeroplanes with serial numbers listed in Piper Service Bulletin No. 765. The directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30th September 1983, underscoring the urgency and importance of addressing the identified structural concerns. The directive's geographic reach is national, as it is issued under the Commonwealth of Australia's regulatory framework. The directive does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, and its application is enforced through the subordinate instrument of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, ensuring that all relevant aircraft within the specified serial numbers must comply with the stated maintenance requirements to maintain airworthiness.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, sets forth detailed directives regarding the airworthiness of certain aircraft models, including the Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) Series Aeroplanes. The relevant section in this context is AD/PA-42/3, which addresses the issue of rivet installation at the intersection of the tail fin/fuselage drag angle and tail fin front spar (section 9/83). The directive applies to all model PA-42 aeroplanes with serial numbers as listed in Piper Service Bulletin No. 765.
The primary requirement of this airworthiness directive is the replacement of rivets that have been found to work loose at specified locations on the tail fin/fuselage structure. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 30th September 1983. The compliance must be evidenced by the documentation outlined in Piper S.B. No. 765. This directive aims to rectify structural integrity issues that could potentially compromise the safety of the aircraft.
Operators and owners of Piper PA-42 aeroplanes must ensure that the rivet replacement is carried out according to the specifications provided in Piper S.B. No. 765. This involves inspecting the rivets at the identified locations and replacing any that show signs of loosening. It is imperative that the replacement is completed within the stipulated timeframe to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to adhere to this directive may result in the aircraft being deemed non-compliant, which could lead to operational restrictions or grounding.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive AD/PA-42/3 can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement action against operators or owners who do not meet the compliance requirements. Potential penalties include fines, operational restrictions, or even the suspension of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate. The severity of the penalty may depend on the extent of non-compliance and the risk posed to aviation safety. It is therefore crucial for all parties involved to ensure strict adherence to the provisions outlined in this directive to avoid any legal repercussions.