AD/PA-20/7 Amdt 1 - Fuselage Fabric in Area of Wind Shield Top Attachment Channel - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to regulate and ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, PART 39 - 105 addresses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's issuance of airworthiness directives. One such directive is AD/PA-20/7 Amendment 1, which pertains to the fuselage fabric in the area of the windshield top attachment channel for Piper PA-20 (Pacer) series aeroplanes. This amendment was introduced to address a specific problem identified in certain models not incorporating Structural Repair 362, as documented in Piper Service Bulletin No 174 or FAA AD 61-6-6. The primary objective of this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft by requiring compliance with specified intervals for fabric modification, not exceeding 100 hours of time in service or six months, whichever occurs first. This regulatory measure is enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specific Airworthiness Directives to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. One such directive, AD/PA-20/7 Amendment 1, pertains to Piper PA-20 (Pacer) series aeroplanes, specifically those models that do not incorporate Service Letter 362. This directive mandates modifications to the fuselage fabric in the area of the windshield top attachment channel, as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No 174 or FAA AD 61-6-6. The directive applies to all relevant aircraft models and requires compliance at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service or 6 months, whichever comes first. The regulations set by CASA are binding for all operators of Piper PA-20 series aeroplanes within Australia, ensuring these aircraft meet specific safety standards. The scope of the directive is explicitly defined to include the models specified, with no broader exemptions or exclusions noted within the directive itself, though subordinate instruments might extend or restrict the application further.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically address the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Piper PA-20 (Pacer) Series Aeroplanes. One of the key provisions is AD/PA-20/7 Amendment 1, which pertains to the fuselage fabric in the area of the windshield top attachment channel (section 4/69). This directive is applicable to all models that do not incorporate Service Letter 362. The compliance requirements necessitate adherence to either Piper Service Bulletin No 174 or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 61-6-6. Aircraft owners or operators must ensure modifications are carried out at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service or every six months, whichever comes first. The Act imposes certain obligations on the parties governed by it. Primarily, the owners or operators of Piper PA-20 Series Aeroplanes must ensure that the modifications specified in the directive are performed within the prescribed intervals. This involves either following the instructions outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No 174 or FAA AD 61-6-6. Failure to comply with these intervals may result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, thereby risking operational certification and potentially leading to safety hazards. In terms of enforcement and consequences, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose penalties for non-compliance with the airworthiness directives. While specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with CASA directives generally can lead to severe civil or criminal consequences. These may include fines, suspension of the aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness, and in some cases, criminal charges against the aircraft owner or operator. The exact penalties would depend on the severity and circumstances of the breach but are designed to ensure strict adherence to safety standards.