COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-24/37 Stabilator Balance Weight Tube - Replacement 8/76
Applicability: All models with stabilator modification kit Piper P/N 760747 installed per Piper SL No. 687.
Document: Piper SB No. 496.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 August 1976.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), are pivotal in ensuring the safety and efficiency of Australia's civil aviation sector. Specifically, Part 39 of these regulations addresses airworthiness directives, which are mandatory orders issued by CASA to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. This regulatory framework aims to fill critical gaps in aircraft safety by enforcing specific maintenance and operational standards, thereby safeguarding passengers, crew, and the general public. The enactment of these regulations by the Australian Parliament under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 seeks to harmonise Australia's aviation safety standards with international norms, ensuring a consistent and reliable level of safety across the nation's airspace.
One such airworthiness directive is AD/PA-24/37 concerning Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes, which mandates the replacement of the stabilator balance weight tube within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1976 for all models with the stabilator modification kit Piper P/N 760747 installed. This directive, issued in accordance with Piper SB No. 496, underscores the commitment to addressing specific safety concerns related to the stabilator system in these aircraft. The policy objective behind these directives is to mitigate the risk of in-flight structural failures by enforcing timely and precise maintenance actions, thus maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety as stipulated by CASA.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105 and Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-24/37, apply to all Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series aeroplanes that have the stabilator modification kit Piper P/N 760747 installed as per Piper Service Letter No. 687. This directive pertains to the replacement of the stabilator balance weight tube, as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 496. The requirement for compliance must be met within 100 hours of time in service following 31 August 1976. The scope of the Act encompasses all relevant aircraft fitting the specified criteria and ensures adherence to safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The jurisdictional reach of this legislation is national, applying across all states and territories of Australia. The directive does not specify any exclusions or exemptions and applies uniformly to all qualifying aircraft within the designated timeframe. The application of this directive can be further defined or extended through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series aeroplanes (AD/PA-24/37). This directive pertains to the stabilator balance weight tube and mandates its replacement in all models that have the stabilator modification kit Piper P/N 760747 installed, as per Piper Service Letter (SL) No. 687 (Section 39-105). Compliance with this directive requires the replacement to be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1976, as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No. 496 (Section 39-105).
The AD imposes a clear obligation on the owners and operators of the affected Piper PA-24 aircraft to ensure that the stabilator balance weight tube is replaced within the specified timeframe. This requirement is essential for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring compliance with civil aviation safety standards. Failure to adhere to this directive could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which may lead to operational restrictions or prohibitions.
Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, there are potential civil and criminal consequences for non-compliance with the specified ADs. While the regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance with this particular AD, general provisions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 could apply. These may include fines and, in severe cases, criminal charges for individuals or entities found guilty of operating an aircraft that does not meet the required airworthiness standards. The maximum penalties for such offences can vary, but they can include substantial fines and imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of compromising aviation safety.