AD/PA-23/52 - Navigation Light Wiring Through Tip Tank - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the legislative framework governing civil aviation in Australia, were enacted to ensure the safety, efficiency and orderly growth of aviation in the country. This particular legislative instrument, F2006B05479, focuses on issuing Airworthiness Directives for specific aircraft types, such as the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes, to address safety concerns and maintain the airworthiness of these aircraft. This directive, AD/PA-23/52, was introduced to address the problem of incorrect wiring connections in the navigation light system of these aircraft models when equipped with Met-Co-Aire wing tip tanks, which could potentially lead to safety issues. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure that the wiring is correctly connected to prevent any electrical issues that could compromise the safety of the aircraft during flight. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is the Australian government body responsible for regulating the civil aviation industry. CASA's primary objective is to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This specific Airworthiness Directive aims to address a known safety issue with the wiring connections in certain Piper PA-23 aircraft models, ensuring compliance with the regulations to maintain the safety of these aircraft. The directive requires that the navigation light wiring is inspected within 25 hours of time in service after 31 May 1972, and whenever a wing tip tank is fitted to the wing, to ensure the wiring is correctly connected.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for ensuring the safety and compliance of aircraft within Australia's airspace. This legislation applies to all Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series aeroplanes, including models PA23-160, PA23-235, and PA23-250, that are equipped with Met-Co-Aire wing tip tanks. The directive mandates that the navigation light wiring must be correctly connected through the tip tank to prevent electrical faults. The requirement necessitates that a voltmeter or test lamp be used to check the connection between the fuel filler neck and the aircraft structure, with specific instructions on how to proceed based on the test results. Compliance with this airworthiness directive must be achieved within 25 hours of time in service after 31 May 1972, and whenever a wing tip tank is subsequently fitted to the wing. This regulation extends its jurisdiction nationally, encompassing all commercial and private aircraft operating within Australia, and ensures adherence to safety standards set by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes specific provisions for Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes in AD/PA-23/52 (Section 5/72). This directive applies to all models PA23-160, PA23-235, and PA23-250 equipped with Met-Co-Aire wing tip tanks. The directive mandates that operators of these aircraft must ensure the navigation light wiring through the tip tank is connected correctly to prevent any electrical faults that could compromise safety during flight. Operators of these aircraft must comply with the requirement that the navigation light wiring must be correctly connected through the tip tank. This involves using a voltmeter or test lamp between the fuel filler neck and the aircraft structure, with the navigation lights switched on. If the voltmeter does not register any voltage or the test lamp does not light, the wiring is correctly connected. However, if the voltmeter registers voltage or the test lamp lights, the tip tank must be removed, and the wiring system must be rectified. The directive specifies that this compliance must occur within 25 hours of time in service after 31 May 1972 and subsequently whenever a wing tip tank is fitted to the wing. Failure to adhere to the requirements outlined in AD/PA-23/52 could result in serious safety implications, given that incorrect wiring could lead to electrical faults during flight. The legislation does not explicitly detail specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance in this particular directive, but it is part of broader aviation safety regulations. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity and intent behind the non-compliance. Operators are expected to ensure that all maintenance and inspections are carried out in accordance with the stipulated timelines and procedures to avoid any legal repercussions.