AD/PA-46/24 - Bendix/King KAP 150/KFC 150 Flight Control Systems

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B06030, encompass Part 39 - 105, which addresses airworthiness directives pertinent to various aircraft types, including the Piper PA-46 Malibu series. The legislation was enacted to ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia by addressing specific mechanical and systemic issues that could compromise flight safety. This particular directive was introduced to address the problem of moisture-induced corrosion in the flight control systems of PA-46-310P Malibu and PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage aircraft equipped with Bendix/King KAP 150/KFC 150 Flight Control Systems. The policy objective of this directive is to mitigate the risk of undesired elevator movement due to moisture infiltration, thus maintaining the integrity of the flight control system. The directive mandates the installation of a pitch servo cover kit, as specified by Bendix/King Installation Bulletin No 312, within 90 days from the directive's issuance on 12 November 1992. This requirement aligns with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) directive AD 92-18-08 Amendment 39-8352, extending the compliance period for Australian registered aircraft by approximately one month.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which in this case involves the Piper PA-46 (Malibu) Series Aeroplanes. This directive, AD/PA-46/24, applies to PA-46-310P Malibu and PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage aircraft that are equipped with Bendix/King KAP 150/KFC 150 Flight Control Systems. The legislation mandates the installation of a pitch servo cover kit, part number 050-03007-0000, as specified in the Bendix/King Installation Bulletin No 312 dated 19 March 1990, to prevent moisture from causing corrosion on the electronic circuit boards of the flight control system. This directive references FAA AD 92-18-08 Amendment 39-8352 and requires compliance within 90 days following the directive's issuance date of 12 November 1992. The motivation behind this regulation is to address potential undesired movement of the elevators, which could be caused by moisture entering the circuit boards through the pitch servo. This legislation is enforced under the Commonwealth of Australia and applies to aircraft registered within Australia, extending the compliance period by approximately one month compared to the FAA's directive.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Piper PA-46 (Malibu) series aeroplanes equipped with Bendix/King KAP 150/KFC 150 Flight Control Systems. The directive, identified as AD/PA-46/24, mandates the installation of a pitch servo cover kit, part number 050-03007-0000, in PA-46-310P Malibu and PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage aircraft. This requirement is detailed in Bendix/King Installation Bulletin No 312 dated 19 March 1990, and references FAA AD 92-18-08 Amendment 39-8352. The directive imposes specific obligations on the owners and operators of the affected aircraft. They are required to ensure the installation of the pitch servo cover kit within 90 days following 12 November 1992. This action is imperative to prevent moisture from entering the electronic circuit boards of the flight control system through the pitch servo, which could otherwise lead to undesired movement of the elevators and compromise flight safety. Failure to comply with the AD may result in severe consequences. The regulations stipulate that non-compliance could lead to penalties, including fines and potential legal actions. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement actions against entities that fail to adhere to the stipulated requirements. The exact penalties and enforcement measures are detailed within the broader framework of the CAR 1998 and may include suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness. The directive is grounded in reports received by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about moisture causing corrosion on the electronic circuit boards of the flight control systems. This corrosion was traced to moisture entering the system through the pitch servo. By installing the specified pitch servo cover kit, the risk of moisture ingress is mitigated, thereby ensuring the aircraft's continued airworthiness and safety. This directive serves as a critical safety measure to protect against potential flight control malfunctions that could endanger lives and property.