AD/PA-20/5 - Cigar Lighter Circuit - Provision of Fuse

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, encompass a comprehensive set of rules governing aviation safety in Australia. One such regulation is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Piper PA-20 (Pacer) Series Aeroplanes, specifically AD/PA-20/5, which addresses the safety issue related to the cigar lighter circuit's provision of a fuse. This directive was enacted to ensure that all Piper PA-20 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 20-1 to 20-1121 are equipped with a fuse to prevent electrical fires stemming from the cigar lighter circuit. The policy objective of this directive is to mitigate the risk of electrical fires, thereby enhancing the overall safety of air travel. The AD/PA-20/5 directive mandates compliance immediately, referencing Piper Service Bulletin No. 163A and FAA AD 58-16-1 as the documents that provide the necessary technical guidance for addressing the identified safety issue. The directive is part of a broader legislative framework aimed at maintaining and improving the safety standards of civil aviation within Australia, ensuring that aircraft meet stringent airworthiness criteria.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, with AD/PA-20/5 focusing on the Piper PA-20 (Pacer) Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to all Piper PA-20 models with serial numbers ranging from 20-1 to 20-1121. It mandates compliance with either Piper Service Bulletin No 163A or FAA AD 58-16-1, which involves the provision of a fuse in the cigar lighter circuit. Compliance is required forthwith, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft models. The directive's reach is within the Commonwealth of Australia, under CASA's jurisdiction, thereby extending its application nationwide to ensure uniform safety standards across the aviation industry. The application of this airworthiness directive is not limited by geographic or jurisdictional boundaries within Australia and applies to all relevant aircraft operators and maintenance entities. There are no exclusions, exemptions, or specific thresholds mentioned within the directive itself. However, the scope and specific implementation details may be further refined or extended through subordinate instruments issued by CASA. These additional regulations or guidelines provide a framework for the practical enforcement of the directive, ensuring that all relevant parties are aware of their obligations and the consequences of non-compliance.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Piper PA-20 (Pacer) Series Aeroplanes, with AD/PA-20/5 detailing requirements for the cigar lighter circuit and the provision of a fuse (105.01). This directive applies to all models within the serial number range of 20-1 to 20-1121 (105.02). Compliance is mandated forthwith, with the relevant documents being Piper SB No 163A or FAA AD 58-16-1 (105.03). Under this directive, operators and owners of the specified Piper PA-20 aeroplanes must ensure that the cigar lighter circuit is equipped with an appropriate fuse to prevent electrical overload and potential fire hazards (105.04). This requirement includes verifying the installation of the fuse and confirming that it is functioning correctly as per the specified documentation (105.05). Failure to comply with this directive may result in the aeroplane being deemed unairworthy, and therefore, it cannot be operated until the required modifications are completed and certified by a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer (105.06). Breaches of this directive can result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose strict penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Operators found to be in breach may face substantial fines, with the maximum penalty set out in the regulations (105.07). Additionally, individuals responsible for ensuring compliance, such as owners and operators, may also be subject to legal action and additional penalties if their negligence leads to unsafe conditions or accidents (105.08). Furthermore, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority retains the authority to suspend or revoke the airworthiness certificate of the aeroplane if it is found to be in violation of the directive, effectively grounding the aircraft until corrective actions are taken (105.09).