AD/PA-24/12 - Rubatex Blocks - Removal from Interior of Wing

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by F2006B05518, establish Part 39 - 105 which includes Airworthiness Directives for ensuring the safety of civil aircraft. This particular legislative instrument focuses on Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes, specifically addressing a safety issue related to Rubatex blocks installed in the interior of the wing. The directive mandates the immediate removal of these blocks from models PA-24 and PA-24-250 with specific serial numbers, as outlined in the referenced documents Piper SL No. 364A and FAA AD 62-10-3. This directive was enacted to ensure compliance with safety standards and mitigate any potential risks associated with the presence of Rubatex blocks in the aircraft's structure. The objective is to enhance the airworthiness and safety of the specified Piper aircraft models, thereby protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of civil aviation operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically mandates the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue airworthiness directives applicable to certain aircraft models, including the Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes. The particular directive AD/PA-24/12 pertains to the removal of Rubatex blocks from the interior of the wing, affecting models PA-24 and PA-24-250 with serial numbers ranging from 24-1 to 24-2264. This directive requires immediate compliance, aligning with Piper Service Letter No. 364A or the Federal Aviation Administration’s Advisory Directive 62-10-3. The regulation is applicable nationally within Australia, overseen by CASA, and does not specify any exclusions or exemptions in the given text. The scope of the directive extends to ensuring the airworthiness and safety of the specified aircraft models by mandating specific modifications to their structural components.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly under Part 39 - 105, contain specific directives related to airworthiness, including AD/PA-24/12 concerning the Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes. Section 39-105 outlines the applicability of this directive to specific models and serial numbers of the Piper PA-24, namely PA-24 and PA-24-250 with serial numbers ranging from 24-1 to 24-2264. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and requires immediate action, as indicated in the regulation. Under this directive, owners and operators of the specified Piper PA-24 models are required to remove Rubatex blocks from the interior of the wing. This directive references Piper Service Letter No. 364A or FAA AD 62-10-3 as the document detailing the necessary procedures for compliance. The requirement is clear and unequivocal, mandating that the specified modifications be carried out forthwith to ensure the airworthiness of the aircraft. In terms of obligations, the Act imposes a stringent compliance requirement on the affected aircraft owners and operators. They must ensure that the Rubatex blocks are removed from the specified area of the aircraft as per the referenced documents. This involves thorough inspection, verification, and the implementation of the removal procedures outlined in the Piper Service Letter or the FAA directive. Failure to comply with these directives can result in significant consequences. For breach of these provisions, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 may impose both civil and criminal penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the text, it is understood that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions could include fines, grounding of the aircraft, or even prosecution under civil aviation laws, which can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach.