AD/PA-22/23 - Brake Cable - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to provide comprehensive regulations governing civil aviation safety in Australia. One of the key instruments within this framework is Part 39 - 105, which includes the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This legislative instrument aims to ensure that all civil aircraft operating in Australia meet specific safety standards. One such directive, AD/PA-22/23, focuses on the inspection of brake cables for Piper PA-22 (Tri-Pacer and Colt) series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the problem of brake cable failures, which could potentially lead to catastrophic in-flight incidents. The policy objective is to enhance the safety of these aircraft by mandating regular inspections of the brake cables at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service after 1 April 1964.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all operators of Piper PA-22 (Tri-Pacer and Colt) series aeroplanes registered in Australia, ensuring that these aircraft meet certain safety standards. The applicability of the legislation extends to all models of the Piper PA-22 series, regardless of their age or ownership, ensuring that all aircraft of this type adhere to the same stringent safety requirements. The regulation mandates that brake cable inspections be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service after 1 April 1964. This regulation is integral to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring the safety of all personnel on board. The scope of the regulation is comprehensive, covering every Piper PA-22 series aeroplane operating within Australia, and it is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The regulation does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the requirement for regular brake cable inspections, thus applying uniformly across the industry.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives that governs the maintenance and safety of aircraft. One such directive, AD/PA-22/23, pertains to the Piper PA-22 (Tri-Pacer and Colt) series aeroplanes, focusing on the inspection of the brake cable (Section 4/64). This directive applies to all models of the Piper PA-22 series, as outlined in Piper Service Letter No. 369, and mandates that inspections of the brake cable must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service after 1 April 1964. Under this legislation, the obligations imposed on the parties include ensuring that the required inspections are performed meticulously and within the specified timeframes. The primary responsibility falls on aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel to comply with these directives to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Compliance involves adhering to the detailed procedures and criteria set forth in the Piper Service Letter No. 369, ensuring that the brake cables are thoroughly examined for any signs of wear, damage, or deterioration that could compromise safety. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/PA-22/23 can lead to severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to impose penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Potential penalties include fines and other administrative actions that can be taken against the non-compliant party. In more severe cases, non-compliance could result in the grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections and necessary repairs are completed, thereby ensuring that safety standards are upheld and the risk to passengers and crew is minimised.