AD/PA-46/21 - Empennage Skin Rivets

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the legislative framework established by the Commonwealth of Australia, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. This legislation aims to address gaps and issues related to airworthiness standards, operational safety, and the management of aviation risks. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives focuses on ensuring that aircraft meet the required safety standards through detailed directives and mandatory compliance. The Piper PA-46 (Malibu) Series Aeroplanes AD/PA-46/21 addresses a critical safety issue identified in certain models, requiring the replacement of specific rivets to prevent structural weaknesses that could compromise flight safety. The Piper PA-46 (Malibu) Series Aeroplanes AD/PA-46/21 was introduced to address a specific safety concern related to the empennage skin rivets on particular models of Piper PA-46 aircraft. This directive was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to mitigate the risk of loose rivets leading to structural failure. The policy objective is to enhance the safety of these aircraft by mandating the replacement of identified rivets with larger diameter rivets as per the instructions provided in Piper SB 944. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after 20 August 1992, ensuring that the affected aircraft meet the necessary safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, govern the specific Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-46/21 pertaining to Piper PA-46 (Malibu) Series Aeroplanes. This AD applies to specific model variants of the Piper PA-46, namely the PA-46-310P with serial numbers ranging from 46-8408001 to 46-8608067 and 4608001 to 4608140, as well as the PA-46-350P with serial numbers ranging from 4622001 to 4622109. The directive mandates the replacement of certain empennage countersunk rivets with universal head rivets of a larger diameter as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin 944. This requirement is to be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 20 August 1992. The directive is aimed at rectifying issues identified during general maintenance inspections, where loose rivets were found to be working into the skin, potentially compromising the structural integrity of the affected aircraft. The AD is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with compliance being mandatory for the specified aircraft models and serial numbers.

Key Provisions

The main sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives concerning Piper PA-46 (Malibu) Series Aeroplanes, require the replacement of specific empennage skin rivets. The directive applies to Model PA-46-310P with serial numbers ranging from 46-8408001 through 46-8608067 and 4608001 through 4608140, as well as Model PA-46-350P with serial numbers from 4622001 through 4622109. The specific requirement, as outlined in section 39-105 (AD/PA-46/21), mandates the replacement of the empennage countersunk rivets specified in Piper Service Bulletin 944 with universal head rivets of a larger diameter. This must be done according to the instructions provided in Piper SB 944. The directive references FAA AD 92-13-07 Amendment 39-8277, indicating alignment with relevant Federal Aviation Administration standards. The obligations imposed by these regulations are clear and specific. Aircraft operators must ensure that the affected aircraft undergo the necessary maintenance actions as per the directive. This includes inspecting the empennage to identify the rivets specified in Piper SB 944 and replacing them with the appropriate larger diameter rivets. The compliance timeframe is critical, requiring that these modifications be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 20 August 1992. Failure to adhere to these requirements can result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, thereby impacting the safety and operational status of the aircraft. Violations of these airworthiness directives can result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 stipulate that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions can include the issuance of penalties, the grounding of the affected aircraft, and in severe cases, the suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the excerpt provided, but they typically include fines and other administrative sanctions that can be substantial. Additionally, operators may face civil or criminal liability if non-compliance leads to accidents or incidents involving the affected aircraft.