AD/PA-23/13 - Elevator Push-Pull Tube Rollers - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, are a comprehensive set of rules aimed at ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. Among these regulations, Part 39 addresses specific airworthiness directives for various aircraft types, including the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes. The problem this legislation seeks to address is the maintenance of airworthiness standards for specific aircraft models, particularly focusing on critical components such as the elevator push-pull tubes. The policy objective is to ensure these aircraft meet necessary safety standards by mandating the replacement of specified components to prevent potential safety hazards. This directive is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies to all Piper PA-23 aeroplanes with serial numbers 23-1 to 23-903, as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 151 or FAA Airworthiness Directive 57-5-3, with compliance required forthwith.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, applies to Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 23-1 to 23-903. This legislation mandates the replacement of elevator push-pull tube rollers to ensure compliance with safety directives. The applicability extends to all owners and operators of the specified aircraft models, ensuring that they adhere to the safety requirements outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 151 or the equivalent FAA AD 57-5-3. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and must be completed immediately. The regulation applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniform safety standards throughout the nation. The scope of this Act does not specify exclusions or exemptions, meaning that all affected aircraft must comply without exception. While the primary regulation provides the necessary directives, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority may extend or clarify these requirements through subordinate instruments, ensuring the safety and compliance of the specified aircraft within the Australian aviation industry.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, establish specific safety directives for various aircraft models, including the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes. In particular, AD/PA-23/13 addresses the replacement of elevator push-pull tube rollers (section 1). This directive applies to all model PA-23 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 23-1 to 23-903. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved forthwith (section 2). The directive references two documents: Piper Service Bulletin No. 151 and FAA Airworthiness Directive 57-5-3, which provide detailed instructions and technical specifications for the replacement of the specified components (section 3). Under this Act, the key obligations imposed on the parties or entities governed by this directive include ensuring that the specified elevator push-pull tube rollers are replaced in accordance with the referenced documents. This involves inspecting the current rollers, identifying any that do not meet the required standards, and replacing them with the correct components as outlined in the Piper SB No. 151 or FAA AD 57-5-3. Additionally, operators and owners of the affected aircraft must maintain records of the replacement work, including the date of compliance, the identification of the replaced components, and any other relevant information. This documentation is essential for demonstrating compliance with the regulatory requirements and must be kept on file for inspection by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/PA-23/13 can result in significant consequences. Civil penalties may be imposed for non-compliance, and in severe cases, the aircraft may be grounded until the required modifications are made. The maximum penalty for violating these regulations can include substantial fines and potential legal action against the aircraft owner or operator. Additionally, continued operation of an aircraft that does not comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to increased risk of safety hazards, potentially resulting in criminal charges for negligence or endangerment. The seriousness of these potential consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the specified requirements and maintaining the aircraft in accordance with the relevant safety standards.