AD/PA-22/17 - Cabin Heater Box Plate - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, addresses the issue of ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia. Enacted by the Parliament of Australia, these regulations serve to establish comprehensive standards and requirements to mitigate risks associated with civil aviation. The particular legislative instrument F2006B05421, titled "AD/PA-22/17 Cabin Heater Box Plate - Modification" for the Piper PA-22 (Tri-Pacer and Colt) series aeroplanes, targets a critical safety issue identified in model PA-22-108 with specific serial numbers. The policy objective is to mandate immediate compliance with modifications to the cabin heater box plate as per Piper SB No. 203, thereby enhancing the overall safety of these aircraft. This directive underscores the commitment of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to maintain high safety standards in civil aviation through timely and specific regulatory interventions.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, applies to the modification of cabin heater box plates for Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer and Colt series aeroplanes. This regulation mandates the immediate compliance of the directive AD/PA-22/17, which pertains to the model PA-22-108 with serial numbers ranging from 22-8000 to 22-8440 and 22-8443. Compliance is required in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 203. The directive is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and applies nationally, ensuring uniform safety standards across Australia. The regulation leaves no room for exclusions or exemptions, mandating that all specified aircraft must adhere to the outlined modifications to maintain their airworthiness. The scope of this regulation is limited to the specified models and serial numbers, ensuring that only the relevant aircraft are subject to these requirements.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, contain detailed provisions concerning the airworthiness directives for aircraft. In this context, the regulation AD/PA-22/17 pertains to Piper PA-22 (Tri-Pacer and Colt) series aeroplanes and mandates a modification to the cabin heater box plate (section 7/61). This directive applies to the model PA-22-108 with serial numbers ranging from 22-8000 to 22-8440 and 22-8443. Compliance with this directive is required immediately, as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 203. The main requirement of this directive is to modify the cabin heater box plate of the specified Piper PA-22 aeroplanes to ensure continued airworthiness. This modification is crucial as it addresses a specific safety issue that could potentially lead to operational hazards. Owners and operators of the affected aircraft must adhere to the instructions provided in Piper Service Bulletin No. 203 to carry out the necessary modification. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, thereby preventing it from operating legally. Entities governed by these regulations, particularly aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel, have clear obligations. They must ensure that the cabin heater box plate modifications are completed promptly and correctly as per the specifications outlined in the Service Bulletin. This includes verifying that all modifications have been performed by appropriately certified personnel and that the aircraft meets all airworthiness standards post-modification. Compliance with these obligations is not only a legal requirement but also essential for maintaining the safety and reliability of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive AD/PA-22/17 can result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Potential penalties include fines, enforcement notices, and in severe cases, the grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are completed. The severity of the penalty often depends on the extent of the non-compliance and whether it posed an immediate safety risk. The maximum penalties for non-compliance can include substantial fines and, in some cases, criminal charges for those responsible for the oversight of the aircraft's maintenance and operation.