AD/PA-23/71 - Emergency Gear Extension System - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the legislative instrument F2006B05498, address the critical issue of ensuring the safety and airworthiness of specific Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, this regulation was introduced to mitigate safety risks associated with the emergency gear extension system in certain Piper PA-23 models. The overarching policy objective is to mandate regular inspections to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft, thereby protecting passengers and crew from potential hazards related to the emergency gear extension system. Compliance with these airworthiness directives is required within 100 hours of time in service following 31 July 1977 for the specified models and serial numbers.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, with AD/PA-23/71 focusing on the emergency gear extension system inspection for Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to the particular models PA23-250 and PA-E23-250 with serial numbers ranging from 27-2659 to 27-7754039. The regulation mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service following 31 July 1977. The directive is intended to ensure that the emergency gear extension system is inspected according to Piper SB No. 564, thereby maintaining the safety standards required by CASA. This regulation applies to aircraft operators, maintenance personnel, and other relevant entities within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that the specified aircraft models adhere to the outlined safety directives.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, address the requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes through an Airworthiness Directive (AD/PA-23/71). This directive mandates the inspection of the emergency gear extension system for particular models of the aircraft (sections 1 and 2). It applies to Piper PA23-250 and PA-E23-250 models with serial numbers ranging from 27-2659 to 27-7754039 (section 3). Compliance with these inspections must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1977, as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 564 (section 4). The obligations imposed by this directive are straightforward yet critical. Operators of the specified Piper PA-23 models must ensure that the emergency gear extension system is inspected according to the requirements outlined in the Airworthiness Directive. This involves verifying the condition and functionality of the emergency gear extension system, ensuring that it meets the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (sections 1 and 4). Operators must maintain detailed records of these inspections to demonstrate compliance and ensure the ongoing airworthiness of the aircraft (section 5). Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/PA-23/71 can result in significant consequences. CASA may take enforcement actions against operators who do not adhere to the inspection mandates. These actions can include fines, the issuance of compliance orders, or even the suspension of the aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness. The severity of the penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but the potential for substantial fines underscores the importance of adhering to the directive (sections 6 and 7). In severe cases, persistent non-compliance could lead to more serious criminal charges, potentially resulting in imprisonment for those responsible for the oversight of the aircraft's maintenance (section 8). Furthermore, the directive also implies a broader obligation for aircraft operators to maintain their aircraft in a safe and airworthy condition at all times. This includes not only compliance with specific directives like AD/PA-23/71 but also adherence to general maintenance and safety regulations outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. Failure to meet these obligations can lead to a range of civil and criminal penalties, highlighting the critical importance of rigorous compliance and record-keeping practices in aviation operations (section 9).