COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-23/54 Wing Tip Fuel Tanks - Extra Drain Provision 6/72
Applicability: Model PA-23-250 fitted with Met-Co-Aire wing tip tanks.
Requirement: Install an additional water drain valve in each wing tip fuel tank in accordance with a scheme approved by the Secretary.
Note: Incorporation of Jack Brabham Aviation Pty. Ltd. Engineering Order No. JBA/1 is an acceptable means of compliance.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 June 1972.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contains Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address identified safety issues in certain aircraft. AD/PA-23/54 pertains to the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes, particularly those fitted with Met-Co-Aire wing tip tanks. The directive was introduced to address a safety problem related to the potential accumulation of water in the wing tip fuel tanks, which could compromise fuel quality and system integrity. The policy objective of AD/PA-23/54 is to mandate the installation of an additional water drain valve in each wing tip fuel tank, ensuring compliance with a scheme approved by the Secretary. The directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1972, with incorporation of Jack Brabham Aviation Pty. Ltd. Engineering Order No. JBA/1 recognised as an acceptable means of compliance.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) which are designed to ensure the continued safe operation of aircraft within Australia. One such directive, AD/PA-23/54, pertains to Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes and mandates the installation of an additional water drain valve in each wing tip fuel tank for models PA-23-250 fitted with Met-Co-Aire wing tip tanks. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, and the requirement must be fulfilled within 100 hours of the aeroplane's time in service after 30 June 1972. Adherence to the directive ensures the safety of these aircraft by mitigating the risks associated with water accumulation in the fuel tanks. This regulation applies to all operators of the specified Piper PA-23 models within Australian airspace, with compliance verified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive does not explicitly exclude any entities or conditions but presumes application to all relevant aircraft unless otherwise specified in subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes (sections 1-3). This AD, AD/PA-23/54, mandates the installation of an additional water drain valve in each wing tip fuel tank for model PA-23-250 aircraft fitted with Met-Co-Aire wing tip tanks. The requirement is to be implemented in accordance with a scheme approved by the Secretary, and the incorporation of Jack Brabham Aviation Pty. Ltd. Engineering Order No. JBA/1 is noted as an acceptable means of compliance. The compliance deadline is set within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1972.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators of PA-23-250 aeroplanes equipped with Met-Co-Aire wing tip tanks must ensure the installation of an additional water drain valve in each wing tip fuel tank. This installation must adhere to the scheme approved by the Secretary, and compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following the specified date. The use of Jack Brabham Aviation Pty. Ltd. Engineering Order No. JBA/1 is acknowledged as a valid method to meet the directive's requirements.
Failure to comply with this directive could result in significant consequences. While the regulations do not explicitly state the specific offences or penalties for non-compliance, non-adherence to Airworthiness Directives generally falls under the broader compliance framework of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. These broader regulations often include provisions for enforcement actions, fines, and potential grounding of aircraft. The severity of penalties can vary based on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, with potential maximum penalties for serious breaches including substantial fines and legal action against the operators. Ensuring compliance is therefore crucial to avoid these repercussions.