AD/PA-22/11 - Cigar Lighter Circuit - Provision of Fuse

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, serve as the primary regulatory framework governing civil aviation safety and operations within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 of these regulations addresses Airworthiness Directives (ADs), which are mandatory orders issued to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. The ADs are designed to address specific safety concerns or defects identified in certain aircraft models, thereby ensuring compliance with the overarching goal of maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation. A notable example within this regulatory framework is AD/PA-22/11, which pertains to Piper PA-22 (Tri-Pacer and Colt) series aeroplanes and mandates the provision of a fuse in the cigar lighter circuit for all models with serial numbers ranging from 22-1 to 22-6087. This directive aims to mitigate the risk of electrical fires originating from the cigar lighter circuit, thereby enhancing overall aircraft safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has established specific airworthiness directives through the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, with particular emphasis on the safety and operational standards of aircraft within Australia. One such directive, AD/PA-22/11, pertains to Piper PA-22 series aeroplanes, including the Tri-Pacer and Colt models, with serial numbers ranging from 22-1 to 22-6087. This directive mandates that an appropriate fuse must be provided for the cigar lighter circuit to prevent potential electrical fires. Compliance with this directive is required immediately, ensuring that all relevant aircraft meet the specified safety standards. This directive applies to all relevant aircraft registered in Australia, reinforcing CASA's commitment to maintaining high safety standards across the nation's aviation industry. The AD/PA-22/11 directive is applicable to all Piper PA-22 series aircraft within the specified serial number range, whether these aircraft are operated by private individuals, commercial operators, or any other entity. The directive's geographic and jurisdictional reach is firmly established within Australia, as it is issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which govern civil aviation activities within the Commonwealth. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the directive, meaning that all affected aircraft must comply without exception. Furthermore, the directive may be extended or detailed further through subordinate instruments issued by CASA, ensuring that the safety measures are effectively implemented and enforced across the board.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) specifically for the Piper PA-22 series aeroplanes, identified as AD/PA-22/11, which mandates compliance for all models with serial numbers ranging from 22-1 to 22-6087. According to section 1, the directive is applicable to these specific aeroplane models and requires immediate compliance with the provisions outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 163A or FAA AD 58-16-1 (section 2). Section 3 of the AD specifies the requirement for the installation of a fuse in the cigar lighter circuit of the Piper PA-22 series aeroplanes. This installation is mandatory to prevent the risk of electrical fires due to short circuits, which can occur if the cigar lighter is left plugged in and unattended. The directive mandates that this modification be carried out immediately upon notification to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft (section 3). The AD imposes clear obligations on the owners and operators of the affected Piper PA-22 series aeroplanes. They must ensure that the cigar lighter circuit is fitted with an appropriate fuse as specified in the referenced service bulletins or AD. Failure to comply with this directive could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding of the aeroplane until the required modifications are made (section 4). Furthermore, operators are required to document the installation of the fuse and retain these records for a period of three years, as mandated by the regulations (section 5). Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive may lead to enforcement actions by CASA. Under section 6 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with ADs can result in substantial penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment for individuals. Specifically, CASA can issue a Notice of Contravention, leading to enforcement proceedings that could culminate in fines of up to $210,000 for corporations and $42,000 for individuals, as well as imprisonment for up to two years for individuals found in breach of the regulations (section 7). Additionally, the aeroplane may be subject to restrictions or prohibitions on flight operations until the required modifications are verified and approved by CASA (section 8).