AD/P166/9 - Generator Circuit - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by F2006B05335, establish critical safety standards for civil aviation in Australia, with specific regulations detailed in Part 39. One such regulation, AD/P166/9, addresses safety concerns associated with the Piaggio P166 Series Aeroplanes by mandating modifications to the generator circuit. Enacted by the Australian Government, this regulation aims to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft by eliminating potential hazards that could arise from the remote reset circuit breakers between the generator and the reverse circuit relay. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and must be undertaken without delay to maintain safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the application of airworthiness directives for Piaggio P166 Series Aeroplanes, as outlined in AD/P166/9. This legislation applies to aircraft with serial numbers prior to 409, necessitating the removal of remote reset circuit breakers that are currently positioned between the generator and the reverse circuit relay. Instead, circuit protectors, which can be either limiters or remote reset circuit breakers, must be installed between the bus and the reverse current relay. Notably, if limiters are employed, they do not need to be accessible during flight operations. Compliance with these directives is required immediately, ensuring that the specified modifications are implemented without delay to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft in question. The scope of this regulation extends to all operators and owners of Piaggio P166 Series Aeroplanes within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, governed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This includes both commercial and private operators, ensuring a uniform standard of safety across the industry. The geographic reach of the regulation is national, applying to all areas within Australia. However, the specific exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds are not detailed in the provided text. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 may also be supplemented by subordinate instruments, which could provide additional clarification or extend the application of these directives.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) such as AD/P166/9 for the Piaggio P166 Series Aeroplanes, outline critical modifications to ensure aircraft safety. Section (1) of AD/P166/9 mandates the removal of remote reset circuit breakers installed between the generator and the reverse circuit relay for Piaggio P166 aeroplanes with serial numbers (S/Nos.) prior to 409. Additionally, section (2) requires the installation of circuit protectors, either limiters or remote reset circuit breakers, between the bus and the reverse current relay. If limiters are used, they do not need to be accessible during flight. Compliance with these modifications is required forthwith, as stipulated in section (3). The obligations imposed by AD/P166/9 on the parties governed by this regulation, such as aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance providers, are to ensure that the specified modifications are carried out promptly and correctly. This involves the physical removal of existing remote reset circuit breakers and the installation of new circuit protectors as directed. The regulations emphasise the importance of adhering to the specified timeframe for compliance to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Operators must ensure that their maintenance personnel are adequately trained and equipped to perform these modifications according to the directive. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/P166/9 may result in serious safety implications, as the regulation is designed to prevent potential electrical failures that could compromise the aircraft's operational safety. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce these regulations and may impose penalties for non-compliance. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD itself, they can include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The potential for these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the specified airworthiness directives to ensure the continued safe operation of the aircraft.