AD/PA-46/10 - Aft Wing Attach Fitting Fastener Collars

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, provide comprehensive rules and standards to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. Part 39 of these regulations, which includes the Airworthiness Directives, addresses specific safety concerns for particular aircraft models and mandates compliance with specific safety measures. AD/PA-46/10 pertains to Piper PA-46 (Malibu) Series aeroplanes, specifically model PA-46-310P with serial numbers 46-8408001 to 46-8608025. This directive was introduced to address a reported safety issue concerning loose or missing collars on the aft wing attach fitting fasteners, which could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft. The policy objective is to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating corrective action as specified in Piper Service Bulletin No 820 within a defined timeframe. Compliance with this directive is required within 10 hours of time in service after 9 April 1986.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Piper PA-46-310P series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 46-8408001 to 46-8608025, imposing requirements for maintaining the integrity of the aft wing attach fitting fastener collars. This regulation mandates compliance with Piper Service Bulletin No 820, which must be implemented within 10 hours of time in service following 9 April 1986. The legislation falls under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), ensuring that the specified aircraft meet airworthiness standards. This requirement is directly related to the reported issue of loose or missing collars on the aft wing attach fitting fasteners, as disclosed by the manufacturer. The regulation does not extend to other aircraft types or serial numbers outside the specified range.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, as they pertain to the AD/PA-46/10, mandate specific actions to be taken regarding the aft wing attach fitting fastener collars on Piper PA-46 Malibu series aeroplanes. Section (5/86) specifies the applicability of the directive to all model PA-46-310P with serial numbers ranging from 46-8408001 to 46-8608025. The requirement outlined in this directive is that operators must take action in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No 820, which addresses the issue of loose or missing collars on the aft wing attach fitting fasteners. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 10 hours of time in service after the directive's effective date of 9 April 1986. The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties or entities it governs. Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the specified maintenance action is completed as per Piper SB No 820. This involves inspecting the aft wing attach fitting fasteners and replacing or securing any loose or missing collars to maintain the structural integrity of the aircraft. Additionally, operators must ensure that the required maintenance is documented and that records are kept to demonstrate compliance with the directive. These obligations are crucial for ensuring the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft in question. Failure to comply with the AD/PA-46/10 can result in significant civil and criminal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to penalties, including fines and potential prosecution. Specifically, the maximum penalty for contravening an airworthiness directive can be up to $200,000 for individuals and $1,000,000 for corporations. Furthermore, non-compliance can lead to the grounding of the aircraft, which can have severe operational and financial repercussions for the operator. It is therefore imperative that operators adhere strictly to the requirements of this directive to avoid any legal or safety issues.