AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
Piper PA-31 Navajo · Airworthiness Directives
Overview
This document is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of Australia concerning the Piper PA-31 series of aircraft. The directive addresses safety concerns related to the rudder torque tube assembly and rudder rib, highlighting the necessity for inspections and potential repairs to prevent corrosion-related failures. The AD outlines specific compliance requirements and timelines for inspections, ensuring that operators maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft. It is crucial for operators of the PA-31 series to adhere to these directives to ensure safety and compliance with aviation regulations.
- The directive applies to multiple Piper PA-31 models including PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-31P, PA-31P-350, PA-31T, PA-31T1, PA-31T2, and PA-31T3.
- Operators must install an inspection hole in the rudder skin or use an existing tooling hole for inspection.
- Visual inspections for corrosion must be conducted in accordance with Piper SB No. 1105A.
- If corrosion is detected, the affected components must be replaced or repaired as per FAA AD 2003-24-07.
- Compliance with the directive is required within 150 hours of service after February 19, 2004, and at intervals not exceeding 12 months thereafter.
Document
Source
Originally published by services.casa.gov.au. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type
- Airworthiness Directives
- Year
- 2004
- Pages
- 2
- File size
- 19 KB
- Publisher
- services.casa.gov.au
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In this document
Applicability
The Airworthiness Directive applies to various models of the Piper PA-31 series, including PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-31P, PA-31P-350, PA-31T, PA-31T1, PA-31T2, and PA-31T3. Specific serial numbers are also listed for each model, indicating the range of aircraft affected by this directive.
Requirement
The directive requires the installation of an inspection hole in the rudder skin for the rudder torque tube assembly, or the use of an existing tooling hole. Additionally, it mandates a visual inspection of the rudder torque tube and associated ribs for corrosion. If corrosion is found, operators must either replace the affected components or repair them according to approved designs.
Compliance
Operators must comply with the directive within 150 hours of service after February 19, 2004, unless already completed. Following the initial inspection, further inspections are required at intervals not exceeding 12 calendar months, and before further flight after any corrosion inspection that reveals damage.
Background
The directive was issued in response to reports of corrosion in the rudder torque tube and rib areas of Piper PA-31 series aircraft. The lack of access for inspection and drainage in these areas increases the risk of corrosion, which could lead to a failure of the rudder torque tube and loss of control.
Safety notes
- Corrosion in the rudder torque tube assembly and rib can lead to loss of rudder control.
- Failure to comply with the AD may result in unsafe operating conditions.
Full document text
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES Page 1 of 2 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-31 Series Aeroplanes AD/PA-31/130 Rudder Torque Tube Assembly and Rudder Rib 2/2004 Applicability: Model PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325 PA-31-350 PA-31P PA-31P-350 PA-31T PA-31T1 PA-31T2 PA-31T3 Serial numbers 31-2 through 31-8312019 31-5001 through 31-8553002 31P-1 through 31P-7730012 31P-8414001 through 31P-8414050 31T-7400001 through 31T-8120104 31T-7804001 through 31T-1104017 31T-8166001 through 31T-1166008 31T-8275001 through 31T-5575001 Requirement: 1. Install an inspection hole in the rudder skin for the rudder torque tube assembly in accordance with Piper Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) No. 1105A, dated 22 September 2003; or, instead of installing an inspection hole, use the tooling hole in the rudder bottom rib. Enlargement of the diameter of the tooling hole by a maximum of 0.25 inches may be accomplished to facilitate inspection and corrosion treatment. 2. Visually inspect the rudder torque tube and associated ribs for corrosion in accordance with SB No. 1105A. 3. If corrosion damage is detected: a. Replace the rib/rudder torque tube assembly; or, b. Repair the damaged torque tube using an approved repair design. FAA AD 2003-24-07 paragraph (f) specifies repair issues to be addressed. Note: FAA AD 2003-24-07 Amdt 39-13376 refers. COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes AD/PA-31/130 (continued) Page 2 of 2 Compliance: 1. Within 150 hours time in service after 19 February 2004, unless already accomplished. 2. Before further flight after accomplishment of Requirement 1, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 calendar months. 3. Before further flight after any Requirement 2 inspection where corrosion damage is detected. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 19 February 2004. Background: The FAA received several reports of rudder torque tube and rib corrosion on Piper PA-31 Series aircraft. The area surrounding the rudder torque tube assembly and rudder rib does not have a means or access to inspect this area and no way for water to drain out. Corrosion in the rudder torque tube assembly and rudder rib could result in failure of the rudder torque tube, and consequent loss of rudder control. David Villiers Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 8 January 2004 The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 28 January 2004.