AD/PA-22/3 Amdt 2 - Fuel Primer and Hydraulic Lines - Re-Routing

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, include amendments to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives to address safety concerns related to Piper PA-22 series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument, known as AD/PA-22/3 Amendment 2, was enacted to address the risk of in-flight fires caused by the fuel primer line and wheel brake hydraulic line coming into contact with the exhaust muffler. This issue was identified through prior communications such as Piper Service Letter No. 213 and FAA AD 53-24-4. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, has mandated that these lines must be re-routed and secured using clamps to prevent any contact with the exhaust muffler, with compliance required within 25 hours of time in service following 31 March 1985. The objective of this directive is to enhance the safety of Piper PA-22 aircraft by mitigating the risk of in-flight fires, ensuring that all models of the aircraft comply with the specified modifications to the fuel primer line and wheel brake hydraulic line. By implementing these amendments, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority aims to uphold the highest safety standards in Australian civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105 and the Airworthiness Directives, specifically addresses the safety requirements for Piper PA-22 (Tri-Pacer and Colt) Series Aeroplanes, including all models of these aircraft. The directive applies to the re-routing of the fuel primer line and wheel brake hydraulic lines to prevent contact with the exhaust muffler, thereby mitigating the risk of in-flight fires. This directive is mandatory for compliance within 25 hours of time in service after 31 March 1985. It applies nationally across Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and integrates the guidance from Piper SL No. 213 and FAA AD 53-24-4. The directive's scope is limited to ensuring the specified lines are re-routed and secured using clamps, as per detailed instructions provided in Piper SL No. 213. The legislation does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, and compliance is non-negotiable to maintain airworthiness standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, contain specific Airworthiness Directives for certain types of aircraft, including the Piper PA-22 series, commonly known as the Tri-Pacer and Colt. One such directive, AD/PA-22/3 Amendment 2, pertains to the re-routing of the fuel primer and hydraulic lines (Section 4/85 DM). This directive applies to all models of the Piper PA-22 series and is aimed at enhancing flight safety by preventing potential fire hazards. The primary requirement (Section 1) is that the fuel primer line and the wheel brake hydraulic line must be re-routed to ensure they do not pass behind the exhaust muffler, thereby preventing any contact that could lead to an in-flight fire. To comply with this directive, the lines must be secured to the firewall using clamps, with specific instructions provided in Piper Service Letter No. 213 for the fuel primer line. This requirement is referenced to FAA AD 53-24-4 for consistency and compliance with international standards. Entities governed by these regulations, such as aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance providers, must ensure that the modifications outlined in the directive are carried out within 25 hours of time in service after 31 March 1985 (Section 1). Compliance involves meticulous adherence to the specified re-routing and securing procedures to avoid any risk of fire. Failure to comply with this directive can result in significant safety risks, as the potential for an in-flight fire increases if the lines are not correctly re-routed and secured. Breaches of these safety directives can have serious consequences. While the specific civil and criminal penalties are not detailed in this directive, general aviation regulations often include provisions for fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, and other administrative penalties. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can also lead to criminal charges if the breach results in an accident or endangers public safety. The maximum penalties for such offences can vary but may include substantial fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and its consequences.