AD/PA-24/39 - Fuel Selector Valve - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, were enacted to regulate aviation safety within Australia. This legislation was introduced by the Parliament of Australia to ensure the safe operation of aircraft, addressing the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework that governs airworthiness and safety standards. The regulation aims to mitigate risks and ensure the highest possible safety standards are maintained in the Australian aviation sector. One specific instance of this regulatory oversight is evident in the Airworthiness Directives for Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes, which include requirements for the inspection of fuel selector valves. This directive was established to address identified safety concerns related to the fuel system of the aircraft, ensuring that these aeroplanes maintain their airworthiness and safety as mandated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive for the Piper PA-24-400 model with serial numbers ranging from 26-2 to 26-148 mandates inspections at specific intervals, thereby reinforcing the commitment to safety and operational integrity within the aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as detailed in Part 39 - 105, governs the application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) concerning specific aircraft models to ensure safety and compliance within the Australian aviation industry. This particular AD/PA-24/39 pertains to the Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series aeroplanes, specifically model PA-24-400 with serial numbers ranging from 26-2 to 26-148. This directive mandates that a fuel selector valve inspection be carried out within 50 hours of the aircraft's time in service after 30 October 1978 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours. Compliance with these inspection requirements is essential for maintaining the airworthiness of these specific aircraft models, with certain tasks being permissible for certification by the pilot. The scope of this legislation ensures that all relevant operators and maintenance personnel within Australia adhere to the specified safety protocols, reinforcing the stringent standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically focusing on the Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes, detail the requirements for the inspection of the fuel selector valve as outlined in AD/PA-24/39. Section 12/78 of this legislative instrument addresses the applicability of these directives to the model PA-24-400 with serial numbers ranging from 26-2 to 26-148. The document referenced is Piper Service Letter No. 851, Part A. It is important to note that the inspections detailed in items 1 to 4 of this service letter can be performed and certified by the pilot of the aircraft. The obligations imposed by these regulations on the relevant parties, particularly the owners and operators of the specified Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series Aeroplanes, include ensuring that the fuel selector valve inspection is conducted within 50 hours of time in service after 30 October 1978. Following this initial inspection, subsequent inspections must be performed at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. The compliance with these inspection intervals is crucial to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring the safety of all individuals onboard. Operators are also required to maintain accurate records of these inspections to demonstrate compliance with the regulatory requirements. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose significant consequences for non-compliance with the specified airworthiness directives. Any breach of the requirements outlined in AD/PA-24/39 could result in serious safety implications. Although the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the excerpt provided, it is understood that failure to adhere to airworthiness directives can result in severe civil and potentially criminal penalties under Australian aviation law. These may include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft operating certificates, and other enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. It is imperative that all stakeholders adhere strictly to these directives to avoid any legal repercussions and to ensure the continued safety of civil aviation operations.