PA-25 Pawnee Glider Towplane Airworthiness and Safety Update
22 Aug 2024
Dear Members,
As many of you are aware, an Airworthiness Directive (AD) originating from Argentina has been issued concerning the PA-25 Pawnee which we often use as towplanes by our clubs for aerotows. This directive comes in response to recent accidents in Central and South America involving wing spar failures, highlighting the importance of addressing potential corrosion and fatigue in these aircraft.
Background on the Directive
Most PA-25 Pawnees were originally built and supported by the Piper Aircraft Corporation in the United States. However, the Type Certificate was later sold to Laviasa Aviación in Argentina, which now manufactures and supports these aircraft. The South American Aviation Regulator (ANAC) has mandated immediate wing spar corrosion inspections within the next 10 flight hours, followed by further inspections for cracks within the following 60 hours and at every subsequent 100-hour interval or annual inspection.
Challenges and Our Response
The initial information provided by Laviasa was incomplete, with the referenced Service Bulletin available only in Spanish and lacking details for the necessary non-destructive inspections. To address this, Gliding Australia has purchased a complete set of PA-25 Service Bulletins from Laviasa, which are now available on our website. An unofficial English translation of the required Service Bulletin has been completed and sent to clubs operating Pawnees.
Our Airworthiness and Safety teams in addition to liaising with CASA, have been actively engaging with international aviation authorities, including the FAA (US), CAA (UK), CAA (NZ), and EASA (EU), to gather insights on their responses to this directive. We are also exploring possible Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC) that would enhance wing inspections, considering the lower risks of corrosion and fatigue given the aircraft’s usage as sailplane towplanes. While this AMOC has the potential to reduce costs and delays associated with the mandated inspections, it will require approval from CASA before it can be implemented, which may take some time.
Impact on Clubs
Gliding Australia understand that this situation has created significant uncertainty and concern, particularly for clubs that rely on these aircraft to provide affordable and reliable aerotowing services to their members. Some clubs have already conducted successful initial inspections, while others have unfortunately had their aircraft grounded following the initial inspection.
Our Commitment
I’m disappointed to hear through third parties, commentary along the lines that “Gliding Australia is doing nothing.” That statement could not be farther from the truth.
Gliding Australia is treating this airworthiness safety issue and the broader implications for club viability with the highest priority. We are committed to keeping all PA-25 registered operators and clubs informed as we receive new information. Patience and cooperation are key words with this issue, given we’re dealing with an Argentinian Company in a different time zone, regulators, etc. That said, we are acutely aware of the urgency.
Gliding Australia via Anthony Smith (Chair of Airworthiness) and Dennis Stacey (Executive Manger Airworthiness) are focused on solutions and information supply to those that need it. To do this, they have been utilising the Gliding PA-25 Operators Group (that Gliding Australia established) to reduce unnecessary emails/communication to those not directly involved with Pawnee operations.
Additionally, Gliding Australia is also intending to approach the Federal Government for support/assistance, given the financial hardship many clubs may encounter as a consequence of this issue.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Warm regards
Doug Flockhart
Chief Executive Officer
PS… If you have any queries or would like to be added to the PA-25 users’ group. Please contact Anthony Smith directly on e: cap@glidingaustralia.org
