COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-18 and 19 (Super Cub) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-18/10 Wing Fuel Tank Cap - Modification 5/78
Applicability: Group 1 - Model PA-18 with S/Nos. 18-1 to 18-7609068. Applies only if a wing fuel tank cap has been replaced with either tank cap P/N 15296-02 since 1 June 1976 or, tank cap P/N 60707-02 modified as per Piper SB No. 522.
Group 2 - Model PA-18-150 with S/Nos. 18-7609069 to18- 7809001, 18-7809003 to
18-7809013, 18-7809105 to 18- 7809030, 18-7809034, 18-7809035, 18-7809041, 18-
7809043, 18-7809046, 18-7809048 to 18-7809051, 18- 7809053, 18-7809054, 18-
7809056, 18-7809058 and 18- 1809059.
Document: Piper SB No. 573.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 May 1978.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, encompass a comprehensive regulatory framework designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations establishes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes AD/PA-18/10 concerning the modification of wing fuel tank caps for Piper PA-18 and 19 (Super Cub) series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address safety issues associated with the replacement or modification of wing fuel tank caps, ensuring that these aeroplanes meet the necessary safety standards. The policy objective is to mitigate risks by mandating specific modifications to the aircraft's fuel tank caps, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety and reducing the potential for hazardous situations.
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, through the enactment of the Australian Parliament, provide a structured approach to maintaining airworthiness standards. The Piper PA-18 and 19 series aeroplanes are subject to specific airworthiness directives to rectify safety concerns related to wing fuel tank caps. By requiring compliance with these directives within a specified timeframe, the regulations aim to ensure that these aircraft operate within safe parameters, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public. This legislative instrument underscores the commitment of the Australian government to uphold stringent safety standards in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives applicable to Piper PA-18 and 19 (Super Cub) series aeroplanes. This directive, AD/PA-18/10, pertains to modifications of the wing fuel tank cap and applies to certain serial numbers of the PA-18 and PA-18-150 models. It mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1978 for specific models where the wing fuel tank cap has been replaced with either tank cap P/N 15296-02 since 1 June 1976 or, tank cap P/N 60707-02 modified as per Piper SB No. 522. The directive ensures safety compliance by requiring modifications to prevent potential issues related to the fuel tank cap, thus maintaining the airworthiness of the affected aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Piper PA-18 and 19 (Super Cub) Series Aeroplanes. This section includes a directive (AD/PA-18/10) concerning the modification of the wing fuel tank cap for certain models of these aeroplanes. According to this directive, any model PA-18 with serial numbers ranging from 18-1 to 18-7609068 that has had its wing fuel tank cap replaced with either tank cap part number 15296-02 since 1 June 1976, or tank cap part number 60707-02 modified as per Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No. 522, is subject to this directive (Section 105(5/78)).
The obligation under this directive requires the modification of the wing fuel tank cap within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1978. This is a critical requirement for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the aeroplanes covered by this directive. Compliance must be achieved through the specified modifications detailed in Piper SB No. 573. This means that the aircraft owners or operators must ensure that the modifications are carried out by certified personnel and that all necessary documentation is kept up to date and available for inspection by CASA.
Failure to comply with this directive can result in serious consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided excerpt, non-compliance with CASA airworthiness directives generally results in civil or criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These penalties can include fines, enforcement actions, and potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. In severe cases, there can be criminal charges against the aircraft owners or operators, leading to imprisonment. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the court.