COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piaggio P166 Series Aeroplanes
AD/P166/10 Undercarriage Warning Horn Circuit - Modification NK
Applicability: S/Nos. prior to 409.
Requirement: Connect the undercarriage warning horn switches in parallel. Compliance: Forthwith.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Legislative instrument F2006B11438, address specific safety concerns related to the Piaggio P166 Series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Australian Government, this regulation was introduced to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft, particularly focusing on the modification of the undercarriage warning horn circuit. The policy objective behind this legislative action is to enhance flight safety by mandating that the undercarriage warning horn switches be connected in parallel, applicable to serial numbers prior to 409. Compliance with this directive is required forthwith, ensuring that all relevant aircraft meet the updated safety standards as specified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, apply to the Piaggio P166 Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers prior to 409, mandating a modification to the undercarriage warning horn circuit. The Act is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is applicable on a Commonwealth level, ensuring consistent application across Australia. The requirement for this directive is to connect the undercarriage warning horn switches in parallel to enhance the functionality and safety of the aircraft's undercarriage warning system, with compliance expected forthwith. This regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, and it is expected that any further specification or application details would be delineated through subordinate instruments or CASA guidelines.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, includes a specific Airworthiness Directive (AD) related to the Piaggio P166 Series Aeroplanes, known as AD/P166/10. This directive is focused on the undercarriage warning horn circuit, specifically requiring that the undercarriage warning horn switches be connected in parallel for aircraft with serial numbers (S/Nos.) prior to 409. The requirement for compliance is stated as "forthwith," which means that the modification must be implemented immediately.
In terms of obligations and requirements, the AD mandates that the specified modification be carried out on the undercarriage warning horn circuit of the affected aircraft. For aircraft manufacturers, maintenance organisations, and operators, this means ensuring that the wiring of the undercarriage warning horn switches is configured as per the directive to maintain compliance with the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This may involve inspections, modifications, and record-keeping to demonstrate compliance.
Failure to comply with the AD/P166/10 may result in significant legal and operational consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with CASA directives typically carries serious ramifications under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These can include enforcement actions by CASA, potential grounding of the aircraft, and financial penalties. In severe cases, continued operation of a non-compliant aircraft could lead to criminal charges and imprisonment for those responsible, highlighting the importance of adhering to the stipulated requirements.