AD/PA-23/80 - Fuel Line and Electrical Harness - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative instrument F2006B05507, establish comprehensive regulations governing civil aviation in Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations pertains to airworthiness directives, which are critical for ensuring the safety of aircraft operations. One such directive, AD/PA-23/80, addresses the inspection of fuel lines and electrical harnesses in Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes to prevent inflight fires and fuel leakage caused by chafing between these components. This directive was introduced to address a gap in safety protocols identified by incidents overseas, specifically targeting model PA-23-250 with serial numbers ranging from 27-2505 to 27-7954119, requiring compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1979. The policy objective of this regulation is to mitigate the risk of inflight fires and ensure the continued safety of aircraft operations within the Australian civil aviation sector.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses the inspection of fuel lines and electrical harnesses for Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes, with a focus on Model PA-23-250 with serial numbers ranging from 27-2505 to 27-7954119. This directive applies to all aircraft within the specified model and serial number range, mandating a compliance inspection within 100 hours of time in service following 31 December 1979. The directive is grounded in the necessity to mitigate the risk of inflight nacelle fires and fuel leakage that have occurred overseas due to chafing between the main electrical harness and fuel lines aft of the firewall. The regulation is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all entities operating these aircraft adhere to the specified safety measures. The directive does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, but compliance is mandatory for the specified aircraft within the outlined timeframe. The regulation's application may also extend through subordinate instruments, which could further detail compliance requirements or operational conditions.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) relating to Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes. This AD, designated AD/PA-23/80, mandates an inspection of the fuel line and electrical harness for specific model aeroplanes to prevent inflight nacelle fires and fuel leakage. The applicability of this directive is confined to Model PA-23-250 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 27-2505 to 27-7954119. This directive is grounded in Piper Service Bulletin No. 663 and requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1979. The AD/PA-23/80 imposes specific obligations on the operators and owners of the affected Piper PA-23-250 aeroplanes. Primarily, these obligations include conducting a thorough inspection of the fuel lines and electrical harnesses to ensure there is no chafing or damage that could lead to inflight fires or fuel leakage. Operators must ensure that the inspection is completed within the specified timeframe to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Furthermore, operators are required to keep detailed records of the inspections and any remedial actions taken to comply with regulatory standards. Failure to comply with the AD/PA-23/80 can result in severe civil and criminal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can impose penalties on operators who fail to comply with airworthiness directives. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance may lead to fines and other regulatory actions. The specific penalties and enforcement actions depend on the severity of the breach and the discretion of CASA. It is critical for operators and owners to adhere to these directives to avoid legal repercussions and ensure the safety of their operations.