AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE AD/PA-38/21 Amdt 1
Piper PA-38 Tomahawk · Service Bulletins
Overview
This document is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia concerning the Piper PA-38 Tomahawk series aeroplanes. The directive outlines mandatory actions required to address safety concerns related to the vertical fin forward spar attachment plate. It specifies replacement life limits for this component based on the aircraft's serial number and time in service. The document is intended for aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to ensure compliance with safety regulations and to maintain airworthiness standards. The directive includes detailed requirements for replacement intervals and references to related advisories and service bulletins.
- The directive applies to all Piper PA-38-112 aircraft with serial numbers 38-81A0001 to 38-82A0122.
- Aircraft without Piper Kit No. 764421 must replace the vertical fin forward spar attachment plate at 3000 hours and every 3000 hours thereafter.
- Aircraft with Piper Kit No. 764421 must replace the attachment plate at 5000 hours and every 5000 hours thereafter.
- Aircraft with serial numbers 38-82A0102 to 38-82A0122 must also replace the attachment plate at 5000 hours.
- Compliance with the original directive is valid for Amendment 1, effective December 18, 2008.
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
- Service Bulletins
- Year
- 2008
- Pages
- 2
- File size
- 19 KB
- Publisher
- services.casa.gov.au
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the Piper PA-38 Tomahawk.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
More Piper PA-38 Tomahawkmanuals & documents
See all 30 →- SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 1284BService Bulletins
- PA38-112 PIPER TOMAHAWK PREFLIGHTPilot's Operating Handbook
- AAIB Bulletin: 4/2015 G-BNDE EW/C2014/08/03Other Documents
- AAIB Bulletin: 3/2014 G-BGBN EW/C2013/06/01Other Documents
- AAIB Bulletin: 7/2013Other Documents
- Airworthiness Directive ScheduleService Bulletins
- AAIB Bulletin: 7/2009 G-RVRG EW/C2008/07/03Other Documents
- SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 1200Maintenance Manual
- AAIB Bulletin: 9/2009 G-BOLF EW/C2008/10/03Other Documents
- AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVEAirworthiness Directives
- AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE AD/PA-38/16 Amdt 2Service Bulletins
- AAIB Bulletin: 9/2007 G-OLFC EW/G2007/06/14Other Documents
In this document
Applicability
The directive applies to all Piper PA-38-112 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 38-81A0001 to 38-82A0122.
Requirement
The directive mandates the replacement of the vertical fin forward spar attachment plate (Piper P/N 77553-05) based on the aircraft's serial number and time in service. For aircraft without Piper Kit No. 764421, the replacement is required at 3000 hours and every 3000 hours thereafter. For those with the kit, the replacement is required at 5000 hours and every 5000 hours thereafter. Aircraft with serial numbers 38-82A0102 to 38-82A0122 also require replacement at 5000 hours.
Compliance
Compliance with the original issue of this directive is considered compliance with Amendment 1. The amendment becomes effective on December 18, 2008.
Background
The directive is based on fatigue testing of the empennage structure, which has established replacement life limits for the vertical fin forward spar attachment plate.
Safety notes
- Failure to comply with the replacement requirements may lead to unsafe conditions affecting the aircraft's airworthiness.
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 On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-38/21 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001(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-38 (Tomahawk) Series Aeroplanes AD/PA-38/21 Amdt 1 Vertical Fin Forward Spar Attachment Plate Replacement Life Limits 13/2008 Applicability: All model PA-38-112 with S/Nos. 38-81A0001 to 38-82A0122. Requirement: 1. On aircraft with S/No. 38-81A0001 to 38-82A0101 which do not have Piper Kit No. 764421 installed, upon achieving 3000 hours time in service, and at intervals not exceeding 3000 hours time in service, replace the vertical fin forward spar attachment plate, Piper P/N 77553-05. Note 1: USA AD 82-27-08 (b)(1) refers. 2. On aircraft with S/No. 38-81A0001 to 38-82A0101 which have Piper Kit No. 764421 installed, upon achieving 5000 hours time in service, and at intervals not exceeding 5000 hours time in service, replace the vertical fin forward spar attachment plate, Piper P/N 77553-05. Note 2: USA AD 82-27-08 (b)(2) and Piper SB No. 710 refer. 3. On aircraft with S/No. 38-82A0102 to 38-82A0122, upon achieving 5000 hours time in service, and at intervals not exceeding 5000 hours time in service, replace the vertical fin forward spar attachment plate, Piper P/N 77553-05. Note 3: USA AD 82-27-08 (c) refers. Note 4: For aircraft with S/No. 38-82A0123 and higher, the retirement time for P/N 77553-05 is specified in the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual. Compliance: Compliance with the original issue of this Directive constitutes compliance with Amendment 1. This Amendment becomes effective on 18 December 2008. Background: Fatigue testing of the empennage structure has established replacement life limits. COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) Series Aeroplanes AD/PA-38/21 Amdt 1 (continued) Page 2 of 2 Amendment 1 aligns the requirement for aircraft which do not have Piper Kit No. 764421 installed with the requirement in USA AD 82-27-08 (b)(1). Amendment 1 adds aircraft with S/Nos. 38-82A0102 to 38-82A0122, and adds Note 4 regarding aircraft with S/Nos. 38-82A0123 and higher. David Villiers Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 29 October 2008