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AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE AD/PA-31/96 Amdt 1

Piper PA-31 Navajo Chieftain · Service Bulletins

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Overview

This document is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of Australia, specifically addressing the Piper PA-31 series aircraft, including the PA-31, PA-31-325, PA-31-300 Navajo, and PA-31-350 Chieftain. The directive mandates inspections and potential reinforcement of engine baffle seals to mitigate risks associated with engine overheating due to improperly fitted seals. The AD outlines compliance requirements, including inspection intervals and actions to be taken based on the findings. The document is crucial for maintaining airworthiness and safety in the specified aircraft models.

  • The directive applies to Piper PA-31 series aircraft including PA-31, PA-31-325, PA-31-300, and PA-31-350.
  • Inspect engine baffle seals within 55 hours of time in service and at intervals not exceeding 55 hours thereafter.
  • Reinforce engine baffle seals as per Piper Service Bulletin No 693 or as approved by an authorized person.
  • The directive was effective from 18 April 2002, with the original issue dating back to 31 December 1980.
  • The directive aims to prevent engine overheating due to improperly fitted baffle seals.

Document

Source

Originally published by services.casa.gov.au. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.

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Document details

Type
Service Bulletins
Year
2002
Pages
2
File size
14 KB
Publisher
services.casa.gov.au
Documentation completeness
4/7

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In this document

Applicability

The directive applies to the Piper PA-31 series aircraft, specifically the PA-31, PA-31-325, PA-31-300 Navajo, and PA-31-350 Chieftain. It is applicable to aircraft detailed by serial number in Piper Service Bulletin Number 693 and those not incorporating reinforced engine baffle seals as specified.

Requirements

The directive requires two main actions: first, to inspect the engine baffle seals according to Instructions A of Piper Service Bulletin No 693; second, to reinforce the engine baffle seals following Instructions B of the same bulletin or as approved by an authorized person.

Compliance

The compliance date for the directive is effective from 18 April 2002. Inspections must be conducted within 55 hours of time in service and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 55 hours. The reinforcement of baffle seals can be performed at the operator's discretion.

Background

The directive was issued in response to reports of engine overheating caused by ill-fitting and blown back baffle seals. This amendment reflects updates from FAA Airworthiness Directive 93-23-13 and extends the inspection interval.

Safety notes

  • Failure to comply with the inspection and reinforcement requirements may lead to engine overheating and potential failure.

Full document text

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation 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 revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-31/96 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 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-31/96 Amdt 1 Engine Baffle Seals 4/2002 Applicability: PA31, PA31-325, PA31-300 Navajo and PA31-350 Chieftain aircraft: 1. As detailed by serial number in Piper Service Bulletin Number 693; and 2. Not incorporating reinforced engine baffle seals as detailed in Requirement 2 of this Directive. Requirement: 1. Inspect engine baffle seals in accordance with Instructions A of Piper Service Bulletin No 693. 2. Reinforce engine baffle seals in accordance with Instructions B of Piper Service Bulletin No 693 or as approved by a person authorised by CASA (CAR 35). Note: FAA Airworthiness Directive 93-23-13 refers. Compliance: Effective 18 April 2002: 1. Inspection: Within 55 hours time in service and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 55 hours time in service. Requirement 2 provides terminating action for this inspection. 2. Reinforcement: At the operator’s discretion. This Amendment becomes effective on 18 April 2002. Background: This Directive was originally issued to require the inspection and reinforcement of the engine baffle seals. The requirement was in response to reports of engines overheating from ill fitting and blown back baffle seals. This amendment reflects the issue of FAA Airworthiness Directive 93-23-13 and introduces an extension of the inspection interval. COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES Page 2 of 2 Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes AD/PA-31/96 Amdt 1 (continued) The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 31 December 1980. Eugene Paul Holzapfel Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 10 March 2002 The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 27 March 2002.