AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Piper PA-46 (Malibu) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-46/31 Electronic Control Modules 5/2004
Applicability: Model PA-46-500TP aeroplanes, serial numbers 4697001 through 4697140 and 4697142 through 4697153 inclusive.
Requirement: 1. Remove the following parts and return them to the manufacturer for modification in accordance with the instructions in Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No 1132, dated 4 June 2003:
Assembly | Part Number |
Pilot's circuit breaker panel | 102228-002 |
Co-pilot's circuit breaker panel | 102228-006 |
Dimmer lighting module | 102226-002 |
Stall vane heat module | 102227-002 |
Propeller heat module | 102227-006 |
2. Visually inspect all remaining exposed wires and equipment for evidence of heat damage and repair any damage found in accordance with the instructions in Piper SB 1132.
3. Following the instructions in Piper SB 1132, install the modified circuit breaker panel assemblies and the remote modules received from the manufacturer.
4. The following assemblies may not be installed on any aeroplane as a replacement part unless modified inn accordance with piper SB 1132:
Assembly | Part Number |
Pilot's circuit breaker panel | 102228-002 |
Co-pilot's circuit breaker panel | 102228-006 |
Dimmer lighting module | 102226-002 |
Stall vane heat module | 102227-002 |
Propeller heat module | 102227-006 |
Note: FAA AD 2004-03-32 Amdt 39-13476 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this Directive.
Piper PA-46 (Malibu) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-46/31 (continued)
For Requirements 2 and 3 - Prior to further flight after completing the Requirement 1 actions.
For Requirement 4 - As of the effective date of this Directive. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 13 May 2004.
Background: The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received several reports of smoke in the cockpit and loss of electrical systems function. FAA analysis indicates that there is inadequate clearance and inadequate electrical isolation between the load terminal and metal case of some electronic control modules. The modules load terminal is cutting through the rubber insulating grommet and contacting the module's metal case. This causes the electrical short circuit and electrical arcing.
The following electrical system components are potentially affected by this condition: engine start; strobe light; left/right taxi light; liquid crystal display (LCD) dimming; dual flasher (recognition light); left/right pitot heat; avionics dimming (Bezel buttons for radios); prop heat; left/right fuel pump; position light landing light; instrument panel light dimming; ice light; vent defog (vent blower); hi/low blower; stall heat and dimmer switch lighting (overhead switch panel switches).
If not corrected, short circuit failure and electrical arcing of the electronic control modules could result in loss of the electrical systems components or burning of wiring insulation and cause smoke in the cockpit. This condition could lead to the inability to properly control the aeroplane.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 1 April 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 21 April 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Act 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, aims to ensure the safety of civil aviation within the country. This legislation empowers the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue regulations and directives to address safety concerns, including issuing Airworthiness Directives to correct unsafe conditions in aircraft. One such directive is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Piper PA-46 (Malibu) Series Aeroplanes, issued on 1 April 2004. This AD, identified as AD/PA-46/31, was introduced to address the issue of inadequate clearance and insufficient electrical isolation between the load terminal and metal case of specific electronic control modules, which could cause electrical short circuits and arcing, leading to smoke in the cockpit and potential loss of electrical system functionality. The directive mandates the removal, inspection, and repair of specified components, as well as prohibiting the installation of unmodified assemblies, to mitigate the identified risks and ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to certain model PA-46-500TP aeroplanes within the Malibu series, specifically those with serial numbers ranging from 4697001 through 4697140 and 4697142 through 4697153 inclusive. The directive mandates certain actions to be undertaken to address an identified unsafe condition concerning the electronic control modules of these aeroplanes. The required actions include the removal and return of specific parts to the manufacturer for modification, visual inspections for heat damage, and the installation of modified components following specified instructions. Additionally, the directive stipulates that certain assemblies must not be installed unless they have been modified in accordance with the provided service bulletin. This AD is effective as of 13 May 2004 and is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, with compliance timeframes provided for each requirement. This legislation extends to ensuring the safe operation of the specified aircraft by mitigating the risk of electrical failures and associated hazards.
Key Provisions
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandates specific actions to ensure the safe operation of certain Piper PA-46 Malibu Series aeroplanes. According to section 1 of the requirement, the directive requires the removal and return of specific parts for modification by the manufacturer. These include the pilot's circuit breaker panel, co-pilot's circuit breaker panel, dimmer lighting module, stall vane heat module, and propeller heat module. The modifications must adhere to the instructions provided in Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No 1132 dated 4 June 2003. Furthermore, the directive necessitates a visual inspection of all exposed wires and equipment for heat damage and any required repairs in line with the same service bulletin. Additionally, following the modifications, the specified assemblies must be reinstalled according to Piper SB 1132. Importantly, any assemblies not modified in accordance with this bulletin are prohibited from being installed as replacement parts.
The AD imposes several obligations on the operators of the specified aircraft. Primarily, they must ensure that the outlined modifications and inspections are completed within the stipulated timeframes. Specifically, for Requirement 1, the actions must be completed within the next 100 hours of time-in-service (TIS) following the effective date of the AD. Requirements 2 and 3 must be addressed before any further flight after completing the initial modifications. Requirement 4 is effective immediately upon the AD's effective date. Operators must also ensure that all personnel involved in the modifications and inspections are adequately trained and that the aircraft is grounded if necessary until the required actions are completed.
Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. The directive is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions. The specific penalties are not detailed in the AD itself, but under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an AD can lead to civil penalties, including fines. For criminal breaches, the penalties can include imprisonment and/or fines. The exact penalties would depend on the circumstances of the breach and the discretion of the court. Operators are therefore strongly encouraged to adhere to the requirements to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of their aircraft.