AD/PA-23/78 Amdt 1 - Hose Assembly - Inspection and Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. One specific regulation, AD/PA-23/78 Amendment 1, addresses issues with the hose assembly in certain Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes. This amendment was introduced to mitigate potential risks associated with the hose assembly, ensuring that these aircraft meet stringent safety standards. The policy objective behind these regulations is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation, protecting both passengers and crew by addressing specific mechanical concerns in identified aircraft models. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as part of its mandate to oversee and regulate civil aviation, issued this airworthiness directive to mandate inspections and, if necessary, replacements of the hose assembly in specific Piper PA-23 aeroplanes. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with a stipulated timeframe of 25 hours of time in service after 19 December 1978, to ensure that any potential issues are identified and rectified promptly. This directive underscores the commitment of Australian aviation authorities to uphold the highest safety standards in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the applicability and enforcement of Airworthiness Directives (AD) within Australia. This particular AD, AD/PA-23/78 Amendment 1, pertains to the inspection and replacement of hose assemblies on Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes. The directive applies to aircraft with specific serial numbers, namely model PA-23-250 with serial numbers ranging from 27-7854007 to 27-7854077, 27-7854079 to 27-7854133, 27-7854135 to 27-7854137, 27-7854140 to 27-7854010, and 27-7954012 to 27-7954018. Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 25 hours of time in service after 19 December 1978. The directive extends to all aircraft registered in Australia, ensuring that operators adhere to the specified safety measures to maintain the airworthiness of these aircraft. The AD is complemented by subordinate instruments and manufacturer’s service bulletins, such as Piper SB No. 629, which provide further guidance and details on the required inspections and replacements.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD). This particular directive, AD/PA-23/78 Amendment 1, applies to the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the hose assembly's inspection and replacement. The directive pertains to model PA-23-250 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 27-7854007 to 27-7854077, 27-7854079 to 27-7854133, 27-7854135 to 27-7854137, 27-7854140 to 27-7854010, 27-7854012, 27-7854013, 27-7854015, 27-7854017, and 27-7854018. The document reference for compliance is Piper Service Bulletin No. 629. The compliance deadline is within 25 hours of time in service after 19 December 1978. The directive mandates that specific aeroplanes must undergo a thorough inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the hose assembly. Owners and operators of the affected Piper PA-23 aeroplanes must ensure that these requirements are met. They must inspect the hose assembly according to the guidelines provided in Piper Service Bulletin No. 629 and replace any hoses that do not meet the specified standards. This is a critical safety measure to prevent potential failures that could compromise the aircraft's operation. Entities governed by this AD are required to document all inspections and any replacements performed on the hose assemblies. Records must be kept for a period of 12 months following the inspection and any subsequent actions. Additionally, any modifications or repairs carried out under this directive must be logged in the aircraft's maintenance records, ensuring that all maintenance activities are traceable and verifiable. Failure to comply with these record-keeping requirements can lead to regulatory scrutiny and potential enforcement actions. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/PA-23/78 Amendment 1 can result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an AD is an offence. The maximum penalty for an individual is a fine of up to 5,000 penalty units or imprisonment for up to five years, or both. For a body corporate, the maximum penalty is up to 25,000 penalty units. Additionally, CASA may take enforcement actions such as grounding the aircraft, denying airworthiness certification, or imposing fines. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the directive to ensure the continued safe operation of the affected Piper PA-23 aeroplanes.