AD/PA-23/72 - Auto Pilot Servo Bridle Clamp Bolt Torque - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve to govern the safety and operational standards of aviation within Australia. Part 39 of these regulations, which includes the airworthiness directives, aims to address specific safety issues and ensure compliance with international safety standards. One such directive is AD/PA-23/72, which targets a specific problem related to the auto pilot servo bridle clamp bolt torque in Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to ensure the safety of these aircraft by mandating modifications to the specified models within a certain timeframe. The policy objective behind this directive is to prevent potential mechanical failures and enhance the overall safety of civil aviation, aligning with international safety standards and guidelines.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This part of the regulations is concerned with ensuring the safe operation of aircraft and mandates compliance with safety directives to mitigate risks associated with specific aircraft models. The directive AD/PA-23/72 pertains to the modification of auto pilot servo bridle clamp bolt torque for the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to aircraft within the specified serial number range, namely model PA23-250 with serial numbers 27-4575 to 27-775077. The directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1977, as detailed in Piper Service Bulletin No. 558. This directive applies to all operators and owners of the affected aircraft models, ensuring that they meet the specified safety requirements to maintain their airworthiness certification. The geographical scope of this regulation is national, as it is a Commonwealth regulation applying across Australia. No exclusions or exemptions are explicitly stated in the directive itself, although further details on compliance and enforcement might be found in subordinate instruments or CASA guidance documents.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CARs) specifically addressing the airworthiness directives for the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes include Section 39.105, which mandates the compliance with airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Section 39.105(1) requires that these aircraft, specifically those within the model PA23-250 with serial numbers ranging from 27-4575 to 27-7754077, must adhere to the auto pilot servo bridle clamp bolt torque modification detailed in Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No. 558. Compliance with this directive is mandated within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1977. The obligations imposed by the CARs on the owners or operators of the affected aircraft are clear and specific. They must ensure that the auto pilot servo bridle clamp bolt torque is modified as specified in Piper SB No. 558. This involves a detailed inspection and, if necessary, the modification of the auto pilot system to meet the torque specifications provided in the bulletin. The compliance period begins 100 hours after 30 September 1977, and the modifications must be completed within this timeframe to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Operators must maintain records of these modifications and inspections to demonstrate compliance with the regulations. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in significant legal consequences. Under Section 39.105(2) of the CARs, non-compliance with the specified airworthiness directives is considered a breach of the regulations. Such breaches can result in penalties, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. The maximum penalties for non-compliance can include substantial fines, reflecting the seriousness of operating an aircraft that does not meet the required safety standards. In severe cases, CASA may also take enforcement actions, which could further impact the operational status of the aircraft until the necessary modifications are completed.