AD/PA-20/11 - Flexible Fuel Hose Assembly - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, form a critical component of Australia's regulatory framework for civil aviation safety, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This legislation was enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia, aiming to maintain the highest standards of airworthiness and operational safety. The Regulations address various aspects of aviation, including the issuance of airworthiness directives to mitigate safety risks associated with aircraft operations. The specific legislative instrument referenced, F2006B05402, concerns a directive for Piper PA-20 (Pacer) Series Aeroplanes, mandating the inspection and replacement of flexible fuel hose assemblies to prevent potential fuel system failures. The policy objective of this directive, AD/PA-20/11, is to enhance the safety of Piper PA-20 Series Aeroplanes by ensuring that the flexible fuel hose assembly is inspected and, if necessary, replaced according to the manufacturer's specifications. This directive was issued to address identified safety risks associated with the fuel system of these aircraft, specifically targeting the replacement of outdated or unidentified hose assemblies with a specified part number to prevent potential failures that could compromise flight safety. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with the requirement to inspect and replace the hose assembly within a specific timeframe, thereby ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the necessary safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandate the application of airworthiness directives for civil aviation operations within Australia. This particular legislative instrument, AD/PA-20/11, pertains to all models of Piper PA-20 (Pacer) Series Aeroplanes, requiring the inspection of the flexible fuel hose assembly from the fuel strainer to the carburettor in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No 351, dated 3 May 1972. The directive requires that any P/N 70322-32 hose assemblies, or any hose assembly which cannot be identified, must be replaced with hose assembly P/N 17766-66. Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 100 hours time in service after 30 November 1972 or before 1 July 1973, whichever comes first. This regulation applies to all operators of Piper PA-20 Series Aeroplanes within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all aircraft meet the specified safety standards to maintain airworthiness.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39, address the airworthiness directives for aircraft, including the Piper PA-20 (Pacer) Series Aeroplanes. Section AD/PA-20/11 focuses on the requirement for inspecting the flexible fuel hose assembly (Section 10/72). The directive applies to all models of the Piper PA-20 series. The primary requirement (Section 1) mandates that the flexible fuel hose assembly, from the fuel strainer to the carburettor, must be inspected in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No 351, dated 3 May 1972. Additionally, any P/N 70322-32 hose assemblies, or hose assemblies that cannot be identified, must be replaced with hose assembly P/N 17766-66. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1972 or before 1 July 1973, whichever comes first. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators and owners of Piper PA-20 series aeroplanes must ensure that the required inspection is carried out by qualified personnel in accordance with the specified procedures. They must also replace any non-compliant hose assemblies with the approved P/N 17766-66 assembly. Records of inspections and any replacements must be maintained and made available for review by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) upon request. Failure to comply with these obligations can lead to serious consequences, as outlined in the regulations. Non-compliance with the airworthiness directive can result in serious repercussions. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, failure to adhere to the specified airworthiness directives can be considered an offence. The penalties for such breaches can include substantial fines, as stipulated in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The maximum penalty for each contravention can amount to thousands of Australian dollars, reflecting the critical importance of maintaining airworthiness standards. Additionally, non-compliance can lead to the grounding of the aircraft, potentially disrupting operations and incurring further financial and logistical costs. Therefore, it is imperative for operators and owners to strictly adhere to the requirements set forth in the directive to avoid these adverse consequences.