AD/PA-23/32 Amdt 2 - Cabin Door Latch - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, introduced a legislative instrument in 2006 to address safety concerns related to the cabin door latches on Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series aeroplanes. This instrument, known as AD/PA-23/32 Amendment 2, was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to ensure that the cabin door latches on certain models of these aircraft could not be inadvertently released during flight. The amendment applies to models PA-23-160 and PA-23-250 that do not have a push button internal auxiliary door lock as standard equipment. The requirement is to modify the cabin door latch in accordance with the James Air Charter drawing No. JAC 11, with compliance mandated before 15 May 1967. The policy objective of this legislative measure is to enhance the safety of air travel by preventing accidental door release incidents in flight. The enactment of this legislative instrument by the Commonwealth of Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority is aimed at closing a specific safety gap identified in certain models of Piper PA-23 aeroplanes. By mandating the modification of the cabin door latch to prevent inadvertent release, the legislation directly targets a known risk factor in aircraft safety. This regulatory action ensures that affected aircraft meet stringent safety standards, thereby protecting passengers and crew and maintaining the integrity of civil aviation operations. The clear requirement for compliance by a specific date underscores the urgency and importance of this safety directive.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) directives for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft. This particular regulation applies to Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes, namely the PA-23-160 and PA-23-250 models, which are not equipped with a push-button internal auxiliary door lock as standard. The directive mandates that the cabin door latch be modified to prevent it from being inadvertently released during flight, with compliance required before 15 May 1967. The regulation is designed to enhance safety by addressing a specific risk associated with the cabin door latch. The scope of this regulation extends to all operators of the specified Piper PA-23 models within the Australian jurisdiction, ensuring that these aircraft meet the required safety standards. Subordinate instruments may provide further details or amendments to the directive, but the primary requirement remains the modification of the cabin door latch to prevent inadvertent release during flight.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an airworthiness directive (AD) pertaining to Piper PA-23 series aeroplanes, namely the PA-23-160 and PA-23-250 models not originally equipped with a push-button internal auxiliary door lock (section 11/67). The directive mandates that the cabin door latch be modified to prevent inadvertent release during flight. A particular modification, as per James Air Charter drawing No. JAC 11, is recognised as an acceptable method for compliance. Entities governed by this legislation, including aircraft operators and maintenance providers, must ensure that the specified models of Piper PA-23 aircraft meet the modification requirements outlined in the airworthiness directive. This involves inspecting the cabin door latch and implementing the necessary modifications to guarantee that it cannot be accidentally opened while the aircraft is airborne. The directive further specifies a compliance deadline of 15 May 1967, after which non-compliance may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy. Failure to comply with the AD/PA-23/32 Amendment 2 could lead to serious safety implications, as the risk of the cabin door opening inadvertently in flight poses a significant hazard. Although the Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly detail the penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives in this section, non-compliance can generally result in severe consequences, including the potential grounding of the aircraft and enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include fines, operational restrictions, and in severe cases, criminal charges for those responsible for the oversight or maintenance of the aircraft.