COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-20 (Pacer) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-20/15
Amdt 1
Fuel Primer and Hydraulic Lines - Re-Routing 4/85 DM
Applicability: All models.
Requirement: 1. To prevent contact with the exhaust muffler, re-route fuel primer line, and wheel brake hydraulic line if necessary, to ensure that they do not pass behind the muffler.
2. Using clamps secure the lines to the firewall - refer to Piper SL No 213 for fuel primer line clamping instructions.
Note: FAA AD 53-24-4 refers
Compliance: Within 25 hours time in service after 31 March 1985.
Background: This Directive has been amended to combine the intent of Piper SL No 213 and FAA AD 53-24-4 into a single requirement. Re-routing, as applicable, of the fuel primer line and wheel brake hydraulic line is necessary to preclude the possibility of an in- flight fire.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, introduces an Airworthiness Directive concerning Piper PA-20 (Pacer) Series Aeroplanes, aimed at addressing safety concerns related to the routing of fuel primer and hydraulic lines. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of in-flight fires caused by potential contact between these lines and the exhaust muffler. The policy objective is to enhance the safety of aircraft operations by ensuring that fuel and hydraulic lines are appropriately secured and routed to prevent hazardous interactions. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, requiring re-routing and securing of specified lines within 25 hours of time in service after 31 March 1985.
This amendment consolidates the requirements outlined in Piper Service Letter No 213 and FAA AD 53-24-4, providing a streamlined approach to addressing the identified safety issue. The directive mandates that all models of the Piper PA-20 Series must adhere to these specifications, thereby ensuring that the risk of fire due to line contact with the exhaust muffler is effectively eliminated.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Piper PA-20 (Pacer) Series Aeroplanes. The regulations mandate specific safety measures to be implemented to ensure the airworthiness and safety of these aircraft. The scope of the directive encompasses all models within the Piper PA-20 series and focuses on the re-routing of the fuel primer line and the wheel brake hydraulic line to prevent them from passing behind the exhaust muffler, a critical safety measure to avoid in-flight fires. Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 25 hours of time in service following 31 March 1985, and it necessitates the use of clamps to secure these lines to the firewall, as outlined in Piper Service Letter No 213. This directive is an amalgamation of the requirements from Piper SL No 213 and FAA AD 53-24-4, intended to streamline compliance and enhance safety protocols for the specified aircraft models.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, details the Airworthiness Directives for Piper PA-20 (Pacer) Series Aeroplanes, including the requirements for AD/PA-20/15 Amendment 1. This directive mandates the re-routing of the fuel primer line and wheel brake hydraulic line to prevent any contact with the exhaust muffler. This re-routing is critical to avert potential in-flight fires, which could result from the lines passing behind the muffler (Section 105.01). To comply with these requirements, operators must ensure that the lines are re-routed as necessary and securely clamped to the firewall, following the instructions provided in Piper SL No 213 for the fuel primer line (Section 105.02). The directive was issued on 4 August 1985 and applies to all models of the Piper PA-20 series (Section 105.03).
Operators of Piper PA-20 series aeroplanes must adhere to the compliance requirements set forth in the Airworthiness Directive. This includes ensuring that the specified modifications are completed within 25 hours of the aircraft being in service after 31 March 1985 (Section 105.04). Failure to comply with these directives can result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, leading to potential grounding and operational restrictions (Section 105.05). Operators are responsible for verifying that the re-routing and securing of the lines are completed accurately and in accordance with the specified instructions to avoid any regulatory non-compliance issues (Section 105.06).
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/PA-20/15 Amendment 1 can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to impose penalties and sanctions for non-compliance, which can include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's operating certificate, and other administrative actions (Section 105.07). In severe cases, operators may face criminal charges, which could lead to substantial fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and the circumstances surrounding it (Section 105.08). The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the text, but they are intended to ensure that all operators take the necessary steps to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft (Section 105.09).