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-23/84 Exhaust System - Inspection and Modification 11/82
Applicability: PA-23-250 (6 places) Aztec S/Nos. 27-2505 to 27-8054019 (normally aspirated only).
Document: Piper SB 662.
Compliance: If not already accomplished, within 100 hours time in service after 31 December 1982.
Background: Reports have been received of exhaust system crossover tubes disconnecting at the forward slip-joint connections. This condition has led to burning of the engine nose cowling and carburettor heat muff. The fitting of a safety cable to the slip joint as outlined in Piper SB 662 should prevent further occurrences.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, address the issue of safety directives for various aircraft models, including the Piper PA-23 series. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, these regulations were introduced to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft within Australian airspace. The specific legislative instrument F2006B05511 focuses on the Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes, particularly addressing concerns about the exhaust system's integrity. Reports of exhaust system crossover tubes disconnecting at slip-joint connections have led to significant safety issues, including engine damage and potential fire hazards. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate inspections and modifications to the exhaust systems, as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin 662, to prevent such occurrences and ensure continued safe operation of these aircraft.
The regulations require compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1982, for affected Piper PA-23-250 (6 places) Aztec models with serial numbers ranging from 27-2505 to 27-8054019, specifically those with normally aspirated engines. The aim is to mitigate the risk of tube disconnection by requiring the fitting of a safety cable to the slip joints, as detailed in Piper SB 662, thereby enhancing the safety of these aircraft and protecting both crew and passengers.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically address the safety of aircraft through Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that mandate inspections, modifications, and other safety measures. The AD/PA-23/84 pertains to Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) series aeroplanes, requiring the inspection and modification of the exhaust system for certain models. This directive applies to PA-23-250 (6 places) Aztec aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 27-2505 to 27-8054019, excluding those with turbocharged engines. The directive mandates compliance if the aircraft has not already undergone the required modifications within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1982. This AD is grounded in reports of exhaust system crossover tubes disconnecting at slip-joint connections, which has caused damage to the engine nose cowling and carburettor heat muff. To prevent such occurrences, the fitting of a safety cable to the slip joint, as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin 662, is required. The regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and cover all aircraft registered in Australia, thereby extending the reach of this safety mandate throughout the Commonwealth.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes AD/PA-23/84 concerning Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes (sections 39-105 and 39-106). This directive mandates that Piper PA-23-250 (6 places) Aztec aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 27-2505 to 27-8054019, equipped with normally aspirated engines, must undergo an inspection and, if necessary, modification of the exhaust system. This requirement is to be fulfilled within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1982, in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin 662 (section 39-105(1)). The directive addresses reports of exhaust system crossover tubes disconnecting at the forward slip-joint connections, which has led to incidents of engine nose cowling and carburettor heat muff burning. To mitigate these risks, the installation of a safety cable at the slip joint is prescribed (section 39-105(2)).
Operators of the specified Piper PA-23-250 aircraft are required to comply with the airworthiness directive AD/PA-23/84 by ensuring that the exhaust system inspection and any required modifications are carried out within the specified timeframe (section 39-105(3)). This includes conducting a thorough examination of the exhaust system crossover tubes and slip-joint connections and ensuring that the safety cable is correctly installed as per Piper SB 662. Operators must maintain records of compliance, which may be requested for inspection by CASA (section 39-105(4)). Additionally, aircraft maintenance personnel must be adequately trained and qualified to perform the necessary inspections and modifications (section 39-105(5)).
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/PA-23/84 may result in significant civil and criminal consequences. Civil penalties can include fines, enforcement notices, or the grounding of the non-compliant aircraft. The maximum penalty for contravening the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 is generally $22,233 for a corporation and $4,446 for an individual (section 39-106(1)). In severe cases, criminal charges may be brought against the operator or responsible individual, leading to heavier penalties, including imprisonment (section 39-106(2)). CASA has the authority to take enforcement actions to ensure compliance, which may include the suspension or revocation of an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) or pilot licence (section 39-106(3)). It is crucial for operators to adhere to the directive to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft.