AD/PA-23/46 - Exhaust System - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B05472, introduce specific safety directives to address identified risks in certain aircraft models. This legislative instrument was enacted to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes, specifically targeting models PA-23-250 and PA-E23-250 with serial numbers between 27-2505 and 27-4653, with certain exceptions. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, acting under the authority of the Australian Parliament, introduced this directive to mitigate potential safety hazards associated with the exhaust system of these aircraft. The primary policy objective is to mandate regular inspections and necessary modifications to the exhaust system to prevent failures that could compromise flight safety. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and must be achieved within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service following the directive's effective date of 30 July 1971.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/PA-23/46, applies to the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers within the range of 27-2505 to 27-4653, with the exceptions of serial numbers 27-4560, 27-4576, 27-4620, and 27-4651. This legislation mandates that an inspection and modification of the exhaust system must be conducted on the specified models to ensure continued airworthiness and compliance with safety standards. The directive extends to the relevant models of the Piper PA-23 aeroplanes within the specified serial number range, thereby directly impacting the operation and maintenance of these aircraft. The directive’s application is national in scope, governed under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, and its requirements must be adhered to by operators and maintenance personnel within Australia. Compliance with the directive is mandatory, with a compliance timeline set within 100 hours of time in service after 30 July 1971, as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 319.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, includes specific safety directives for various aircraft, such as the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes. In this context, the key provision is AD/PA-23/46, which concerns the exhaust system and mandates an inspection and modification (Section 1). This directive applies to models PA-23-250 and PA-E23-250 with specific serial numbers, excluding certain exceptions listed in the legislation (Section 2). The obligation imposed by this directive requires that aircraft owners or operators ensure the exhaust system of the specified Piper PA-23 models is inspected and modified as per Piper Service Bulletin No. 319. This compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service following 30 July 1971 (Section 3). Failure to adhere to this directive can lead to serious safety concerns, as it directly addresses potential hazards related to the aircraft's exhaust system. Breaching the requirements set out in AD/PA-23/46 can result in various consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The severity of the penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the breach. For instance, serious safety breaches can result in significant fines and, in extreme cases, the grounding of the aircraft until the issues are rectified. The exact penalties are not specified within this particular directive but are subject to the broader regulatory framework provided by the Civil Aviation Regulations and the Civil Aviation Act (Section 4).