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-46/27 Wing Attach Fitting Reinforcement 10/99
Applicability: Model PA-46-350P aircraft, serial numbers 4622191 through 4622200 and 4636001 through 4636175.
Requirement: Install reinforcement plates to the wing forward and aft attach fittings by incorporating the Wing to Fuselage Reinforcement Installation Kit, Piper part number 766-656.
Note: FAA AD 99-16-06 Amdt 39-11241 and Piper Service Bulletin 1027 refer.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 7 October 1999, unless already accomplished.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 7 October 1999.
Background: The FAA received a report that sheet steel material that is below design strength standards may have been utilised on the wing attach fittings on the Model PA-46- 350P aircraft manufactured since January 1995. The utilisation of substandard material in wing attach fittings could result in structural failure and consequent wing separation from the aircraft.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, is a comprehensive set of rules governing all aspects of civil aviation within Australia. Part 39 of these regulations pertains to airworthiness directives, which are mandatory orders issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address identified safety issues with specific aircraft. The 1998 Act was introduced to ensure that all civil aviation activities within Australia adhere to stringent safety standards, thereby protecting the public and enhancing the overall safety of the national airspace. AD/PA-46/27, introduced on 7 October 1999, is an airworthiness directive aimed at addressing a specific safety concern identified in Piper PA-46 (Malibu) series aeroplanes. This directive was issued in response to a report that substandard sheet steel material may have been used in the wing attach fittings of certain PA-46-350P aircraft, potentially leading to structural failure and wing separation. The policy objective behind this directive is to mitigate the identified safety risk by mandating the installation of reinforcement plates to the wing attach fittings within 100 hours of the directive's effective date, unless already completed.
This legislative instrument underscores the commitment of the Australian government, through CASA, to maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation by promptly addressing any potential hazards through targeted airworthiness directives.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the applicability and compliance requirements for the reinforcement of wing attach fittings on Piper PA-46 (Malibu) series aeroplanes. This particular legislation applies to model PA-46-350P aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 4622191 through 4622200 and 4636001 through 4636175. The requirement mandates the installation of reinforcement plates to the wing forward and aft attach fittings using the Wing to Fuselage Reinforcement Installation Kit, Piper part number 766-656. This directive is to be completed within 100 hours of time in service following 7 October 1999, unless already performed. This Airworthiness Directive became effective on the same date it was issued, 7 October 1999. The directive was prompted by a report to the FAA indicating the potential use of sheet steel material below design strength standards in the wing attach fittings of the specified aircraft, which could lead to structural failure and wing separation.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, contains an important directive for Piper PA-46 (Malibu) series aeroplanes (Part 39 - 105). This directive, AD/PA-46/27, pertains to the reinforcement of wing attach fittings for Model PA-46-350P aircraft, with serial numbers ranging from 4622191 through 4622200 and 4636001 through 4636175. The directive mandates the installation of reinforcement plates to the wing's forward and aft attach fittings using the Wing to Fuselage Reinforcement Installation Kit, Piper part number 766-656. This requirement is in line with FAA AD 99-16-06 Amendment 39-11241 and Piper Service Bulletin 1027.
Entities governed by this directive must ensure that the specified reinforcement is installed within 100 hours of time in service after the directive's effective date of 7 October 1999, unless the reinforcement has already been completed. This mandate is critical to address the potential risk posed by the use of sheet steel material below design strength standards, which could lead to structural failure and subsequent wing separation. The directive aims to enhance the safety of the aircraft by ensuring that the wing attach fittings meet the necessary strength requirements.
Failure to comply with this airworthiness directive can result in serious consequences. The regulations stipulate that non-compliance may lead to penalties, both civil and criminal, depending on the severity of the breach. While the exact penalties are not specified in the text, it is known that the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide for substantial penalties for violations. These may include fines and other sanctions that could potentially affect the operational status of the aircraft and the licensing of the entities involved.
In conclusion, the AD/PA-46/27 directive is a crucial safety measure to prevent potential structural failures in the specified Piper PA-46 series aeroplanes. By enforcing the installation of wing attach fitting reinforcements, CASA aims to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, and failure to adhere to its requirements could result in significant legal and operational repercussions for the operators.