AD/PA-22/2 - Battery Terminal Insulation

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the legislative instrument F2006B05423, address the need to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft by issuing directives to maintain safety standards. This particular instrument targets Piper PA-22 (Tri-Pacer and Colt) series aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers 22-1 to 22-348, focusing on battery terminal insulation as mandated by Piper Service Bulletin No. 118 or FAA Airworthiness Directive 51-23-3. The objective of this directive is to mitigate potential safety risks associated with inadequate insulation, which could lead to electrical faults and other hazards. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as the enacting body, aims to enforce these directives to ensure compliance and uphold the safety standards within the Australian aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertains to the Piper PA-22 series aeroplanes, including the Tri-Pacer and Colt models, with serial numbers ranging from 22-1 to 22-348. This directive mandates compliance with either Piper Service Bulletin No. 118 or the Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Directive 51-23-3, which addresses battery terminal insulation. Compliance with these directives is required immediately, underscoring the importance of maintaining airworthiness standards to ensure safety. The scope of this legislation is confined to the specified Piper PA-22 series aeroplanes and does not extend to other aircraft types or models unless explicitly mentioned in the directives. Furthermore, the regulation applies nationally, within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive does not provide for any exclusions or exemptions, thus all relevant aircraft within the specified serial number range must adhere to the outlined compliance requirements.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, as amended, imposes specific requirements and obligations for maintaining the airworthiness of Piper PA-22 series aeroplanes, particularly regarding battery terminal insulation (section 39-105). The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-22/2 pertains to the model PA-22 serial numbers ranging from 22-1 to 22-348. The directive mandates compliance with either Piper Service Bulletin No. 118 or Federal Aviation Administration AD 51-23-3, which outline the necessary steps to ensure the battery terminals are adequately insulated. Compliance with these directives must be achieved immediately (section 39-105). Under this legislation, the operators of Piper PA-22 series aeroplanes are obligated to ensure that the battery terminal insulation meets the specified standards as detailed in Piper SB No. 118 or FAA AD 51-23-3. This requirement is critical to preventing electrical failures and ensuring the safe operation of the aircraft. Operators must conduct the necessary inspections, repairs, or modifications to the battery terminals as prescribed by the relevant service bulletins. Failure to adhere to these standards may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to grounding of the aircraft until the necessary compliance measures are implemented (section 39-105). Breach of the requirements outlined in the AD/PA-22/2 can lead to significant legal and operational consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement actions against operators who fail to comply with the airworthiness directives. Potential penalties may include fines, operational restrictions, or even the revocation of the aircraft’s airworthiness certificate. These measures are in place to ensure that all aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to protect passengers, crew, and the general public. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text, but they can be severe, reflecting the high stakes involved in civil aviation safety (section 39-105).