AD/PA-44/6 Amdt 1 - Aileron Push Rod Functional Check

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, were introduced to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. One part of these regulations, specifically Part 39, includes various airworthiness directives aimed at maintaining the safety standards of aircraft. The directive AD/PA-44/6 Amendment 1 pertains to Piper PA-44 (Seminole) series aeroplanes and addresses the critical issue of aileron push rod functionality. This directive was designed to rectify a safety concern whereby the aileron push rod could become bound, thereby impairing the aileron's operational integrity and potentially leading to flight hazards. The directive mandates a functional check of the aileron push rods for specific model aeroplanes within 50 hours of service after a specified date, aiming to prevent any binding issues that could compromise flight safety. The policy objective behind these regulations is to ensure that all aircraft operating in Australian airspace meet stringent safety standards, thereby protecting the lives of passengers, crew, and the general public.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the safety directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is applicable to all aircraft registered in Australia. This regulation, in its Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, targets the Piper PA-44 (Seminole) Series Aeroplanes, specifically model PA-44-180 with serial numbers ranging from 44-7995001 to 44-8095027. The directive mandates a functional check of the aileron push rod as per Piper Service Bulletin No. 689A or FAA AD 80-21-11 Amdt. 39-3938. The requirement necessitates compliance within 50 hours of time in service after 21 November 1980, unless a prior inspection under AD/PA-44/6 revealed no issues with the aileron push rod. The directive's objective is to ensure the replacement of the aileron push rods and, if necessary, the bellcrank if the push rod is found to be tight or fails to rotate through the aileron travel. This regulation applies nationwide, covering all relevant aircraft operating within Australia's jurisdiction, and is enforced to maintain the safety standards of civil aviation.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically the Airworthiness Directive (AD/PA-44/6 Amendment 1) for Piper PA-44 (Seminole) Series Aeroplanes, concern the functional check of aileron push rods. This directive applies to all model PA-44-180 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 44-7995001 to 44-8095027 (section 1/81). The compliance requirement stipulates that unless a previous inspection under AD/PA-44/6 has already indicated no binding of the aileron push rod, an inspection must be carried out within 50 hours of time in service after 21 November 1980. The directive mandates that the aileron push rods and the bellcrank be replaced if the push rod is found to be tight or unable to rotate throughout the aileron travel. This is intended to ensure the safe operation of the aircraft by preventing potential binding issues that could compromise control during flight. Entities and parties governed by this Act must adhere to the outlined compliance schedule and inspection requirements. Operators of the specified Piper PA-44 aircraft must ensure that the functional checks of the aileron push rods are performed as per the directive. This involves inspecting the aileron push rods and associated components within the specified timeframe and replacing them if necessary to meet the safety standards. Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive can result in serious safety implications and potential regulatory penalties. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can enforce actions against non-compliance, including fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory measures deemed necessary to ensure compliance with airworthiness standards. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance can lead to significant consequences under Australian civil aviation law.