AD/PA-25/39 Amdt 1 - Fuel Tank

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, incorporates the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD/PA-25/39 Amendment 1) for Piper PA-25 (Pawnee) Series Aeroplanes. This legislative instrument was enacted to address the increased susceptibility of the standard fibreglass fuel tanks in these aircraft models to post-impact fires, a problem identified through local accident statistics and field accident reports from the manufacturer. The objective of this amendment is to enhance safety by mandating the installation of a rubber fuel cell liner in the fuel tank of applicable models, thereby reducing the risk of fire after an accident. Compliance with this directive is required prior to 31 October 1988, and it applies to models PA-25-150, PA-25-235, and PA-25-260 that are equipped with a Piper fuselage fibreglass fuel tank and certified in the Agricultural category. The Australian Government, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, introduced this amendment to the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 to ensure that aircraft meet the necessary safety standards. The policy objective is to mitigate the risk of post-impact fires by enforcing the installation of a rubber fuel cell liner in the fuel tanks of the specified Piper aircraft models, as detailed in Piper Service Bulletin No. 878 or equivalent modifications. Aircraft that have already been modified according to Ansett General Aviation modification No. 01A514, Piper Service Spares Letter No. SP-236A, or those fitted with a Gippsland Aeronautics fuel tank manufactured according to drawing GA0189, are considered compliant and require no further action.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 and specifically within the schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to the maintenance and safety standards of Piper PA-25 series aeroplanes, namely the PA-25-150, PA-25-235, and PA-25-260 models. These regulations apply to aircraft equipped with a Piper fuselage fibreglass fuel tank and certified for agricultural use. The directive mandates that unless a rubber fuel cell liner is already installed, such a liner must be fitted in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 878 or an equivalent modification document, ensuring the aircraft's compliance with safety standards to mitigate the risk of post-impact fires. This requirement applies to aircraft certified before 31 October 1988. Exemptions include aircraft that have already been modified in line with Ansett General Aviation modification No. 01A514, Piper Service Spares Letter No. SP-236A, or those fitted with the Gippsland Aeronautics fuel tank P/N GA0189-1, which has been manufactured according to the specified drawing GA0189. The directive is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is applicable nationally across Australia.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) which govern the maintenance and operation of certain aircraft. AD/PA-25/39 Amendment 1 pertains to Piper PA-25 (Pawnee) series aeroplanes, specifically models PA-25-150, PA-25-235, and PA-25-260, which are equipped with a Piper fuselage fibreglass fuel tank and certified in the Agricultural category (section 9). The directive requires that these aircraft must install a rubber fuel cell liner in the fibreglass fuel tank unless it is already installed. This must be done in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 878, or an equivalent modification document such as Ansett General Aviation modification No. 01A514 or Piper Service Spares Letter No. SP-236A. Aircraft that have already been modified using the Gippsland Aeronautics fuel tank P/N GA0189-1, manufactured in accordance with drawing GA0189, are also considered compliant with this directive. Compliance with AD/PA-25/39 Amendment 1 is mandatory and must be achieved before 31 October 1988. This requirement is in response to accident statistics showing that post-impact fires are more likely to occur in PA-25 agricultural aircraft with fibreglass fuel tanks that do not have a rubber fuel cell liner installed. The AD aims to reduce this risk by mandating the installation of the rubber liner or an equivalent modification. The obligations imposed by this AD are specific to the operators and maintainers of the affected Piper PA-25 aircraft. They must ensure that the required modifications are completed by the specified date. This involves either installing a rubber fuel cell liner in accordance with the prescribed documents or verifying that the aircraft already meets the directive's requirements through existing modifications. Failure to comply with this directive can result in serious safety implications, including the increased risk of post-impact fires and potential legal consequences. In terms of penalties, while the specific civil or criminal penalties are not explicitly stated in the text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives is generally taken very seriously under the Civil Aviation Regulations. Penalties for non-compliance can include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness, and potential criminal charges in cases of gross negligence. The exact penalties would depend on the specific circumstances and the enforcement actions taken by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.