COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-46 (Malibu) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-46/25 Fuselage Rivet Installation 8/93
Applicability: PA-46-310P Serial Numbers 46-8408001 to 46-8608067, 4608001 to 4608140, and PA-46-350P Serial Numbers 4622001 to 4622117, inclusive.
Requirement: Inspect the fuselage, and install rivets as required, in accordance with Part I and Part II of Piper Service Bulletin No. 959, dated 31 March 1993.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release (a period not exceeding 110 hours time in service) issue after 22 July 1993.
Background: It has been found that a group of additional rivets required for fatigue certification of the pressure cabin may have been inadvertently left out during manufacture.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, introduced Airworthiness Directives to address safety issues in civil aviation. The AD/PA-46/25 concerning Piper PA-46 (Malibu) Series Aeroplanes is a legislative instrument enacted to ensure the safe operation of these aircraft by rectifying a manufacturing defect. The directive was introduced to address the issue of potentially missing rivets in the fuselage, which could compromise the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft. This requirement was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with the policy objective of ensuring that all applicable aircraft meet the necessary safety standards before being returned to service. The directive mandates that inspections and necessary rivet installations be performed in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 959, ensuring compliance by the next scheduled inspection within a specified period.
The legislative instrument aims to rectify the problem identified in the manufacture of certain Piper PA-46 (Malibu) Series Aeroplanes, where a number of critical rivets may have been omitted, potentially leading to safety risks. The directive applies to specific serial numbers of the PA-46-310P and PA-46-350P models, necessitating inspection and corrective action to be completed by the next scheduled maintenance inspection, which must occur within 110 hours of time in service after 22 July 1993. The directive was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, reflecting the Commonwealth's commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the AD/PA-46/25 Airworthiness Directive for Piper PA-46 (Malibu) Series Aeroplanes, mandates the inspection and installation of rivets as per Piper Service Bulletin No. 959 dated 31 March 1993. This directive applies to specific serial numbers of the PA-46-310P and PA-46-350P models, encompassing a range from 46-8408001 to 46-8608067, 4608001 to 4608140, and 4622001 to 4622117. The requirement to inspect the fuselage and install the necessary rivets is intended to address an issue where some rivets critical for fatigue certification of the pressure cabin may have been omitted during the manufacturing process. Compliance with this directive must be achieved at the next scheduled Maintenance Release inspection, with a maximum interval of 110 hours in service following 22 July 1993. This regulation ensures that affected aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to maintain airworthiness.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives for various aircraft. In this case, AD/PA-46/25 addresses the Piper PA-46 (Malibu) Series aeroplanes, particularly those within certain serial number ranges (sections 8/93). The directive mandates that the fuselage be inspected and that any required rivets be installed according to Piper Service Bulletin No. 959, dated 31 March 1993. This is to ensure compliance with fatigue certification standards for the pressure cabin, as it has been discovered that some rivets may have been omitted during manufacturing. The requirement (section 8/93) is that this inspection and installation must occur at the next scheduled Maintenance Release inspection, which should not exceed 110 hours in service after 22 July 1993.
Operators and owners of the specified Piper PA-46 series aeroplanes must ensure that the mandated inspections and rivet installations are carried out as per the directive. This obligation falls under the purview of CASA and is intended to maintain the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft. The requirement (section 8/93) applies to PA-46-310P serial numbers 46-8408001 to 46-8608067, 4608001 to 4608140, and PA-46-350P serial numbers 4622001 to 4622117. The inspection and installation must be completed by a certified maintenance organisation and documented appropriately to demonstrate compliance with the directive.
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/PA-46/25 may result in civil or criminal consequences. The specific nature of the penalties is not detailed in the provided text, but under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, breaches of airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential criminal charges for those responsible. The seriousness of the consequences reflects the importance of adhering to these safety directives to prevent potential hazards that could compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.