AD/PA-25/23 - Fuel Tank Placard - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended in 2006, was enacted to address safety and regulatory gaps in the oversight of civil aviation activities within Australia. This legislation, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), aims to ensure that all aspects of civil aviation operations meet stringent safety standards. Specifically, it provides the legal framework for the issuance of Airworthiness Directives, such as AD/PA-25/23, which mandates modifications to the fuel tank placard on Piper PA-25 (Pawnee) Series aeroplanes to enhance safety by ensuring compliance with established safety standards. The policy objective behind these regulations is to minimise risks and maintain the highest possible safety standards in the aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-25/23 pertains specifically to the modification of fuel tank placards for Piper PA-25 (Pawnee) Series Aeroplanes, model PA-25-235 that incorporate the Fuel Tank Kit No. 514-1-235 (Ansett General Aviation). This directive applies to aircraft that were compliant with Ansett General Aviation SL No. 6 before 1 September 1971. The regulation is a part of the broader Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, which governs the safety standards for civil aviation in Australia. This directive is applicable across the Commonwealth, ensuring that all relevant aircraft within Australian jurisdiction must adhere to the specified safety modifications. The regulation does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, and its application may be further detailed or modified through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The key provision of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39, under Schedule 105, pertains to Airworthiness Directives for the Piper PA-25 (Pawnee) Series Aeroplanes, specifically AD/PA-25/23. This regulation mandates the modification of fuel tank placards for a particular model, the PA-25-235, which was produced before 1 September 1971 and incorporates Fuel Tank Kit No. 514-1-235 by Ansett General Aviation. The requirement is clearly outlined in the document Ansett General Aviation SL No. 6. The primary objective of this directive is to ensure that the specified aircraft model complies with updated safety standards by modifying the placard that identifies the fuel tank capacity. The obligations imposed by this regulation are directed at the owners and operators of the PA-25-235 model aeroplanes. They must ensure that the fuel tank placard is updated to reflect the correct specifications as outlined in the Ansett General Aviation document. This involves verifying that the aircraft was manufactured before the specified date and that the correct fuel tank kit was installed. Owners and operators must also ensure that all modifications are completed by a certified individual or entity, as per the regulations outlined in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority guidelines. Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive can result in significant consequences. The penalties for non-compliance can include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate, and potential criminal charges. The specific penalties are not detailed in the provided excerpt, but typically, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to civil penalties including substantial fines, as well as criminal penalties for wilful or negligent violations. These penalties are designed to ensure that aircraft safety standards are strictly adhered to, protecting both the operators and the general public.