AD/PA-28/10 - Centre Safety Belt Attachment - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, established by the Australian Parliament, provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of civil aviation safety in Australia. Within this expansive body of law, Part 39 specifically addresses airworthiness directives, including AD/PA-28/10 which pertains to Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes. Enacted to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft, AD/PA-28/10 targets a specific safety issue: the inspection of centre safety belt attachments in Model PA-28-140 aeroplanes prior to serial number 28-22717 that are equipped with family seats. This directive was introduced to address the identified risk of improper attachment which could compromise safety during flight. Compliance with the directive is mandatory, requiring inspection within 50 hours of time in service after 19 May 1967, in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 245, thereby reinforcing the overarching policy objective of maintaining the highest safety standards in Australian civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, pertain to the safety and operational standards of aviation within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 addresses airworthiness directives, with AD/PA-28/10 focusing on Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes. This particular directive mandates that all PA-28-140 models prior to serial number 28-22717, which are fitted with family seats, must undergo a specific inspection of the centre safety belt attachment. Compliance with this directive is required within 50 hours of time in service following the directive's effective date of 19 May 1967, as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 245. This regulation applies to all relevant aircraft registered within Australia, thereby ensuring consistent safety standards are maintained across the Commonwealth. Subordinate instruments may further extend or clarify the application of this directive, but the primary requirement remains the timely inspection of the specified aircraft to ensure compliance with airworthiness standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, mandate that certain aircraft models undergo specific maintenance checks to ensure safety. In this case, AD/PA-28/10 pertains to the Piper PA-28 series aeroplanes, with a focus on the centre safety belt attachment (paragraph 5/67). This directive applies to the Model PA-28-140 prior to serial number 28-22717 that is equipped with family seats. The requirement stems from Piper SB No. 245, which outlines the necessary inspection procedures for this specific model. Compliance with this regulation is crucial and necessitates that the inspection of the centre safety belt attachment be completed within 50 hours of time in service after 19 May 1967. This timeline ensures that all affected aircraft are examined and maintained according to the specified standards to uphold safety. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces these directives to guarantee that the aircraft meet the requisite safety standards, thereby protecting passengers and crew. The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties governed, particularly aircraft operators and maintenance personnel, include conducting the required inspections meticulously and adhering to the prescribed timelines. Operators must ensure that the inspections are documented and that any identified issues are rectified promptly. Maintenance personnel must be trained and qualified to perform these inspections, ensuring they understand the importance and the specific requirements of the directive. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can lead to civil penalties, including fines of up to $33,000 for individuals and $165,000 for corporations, as per the applicable sections. Additionally, CASA may issue enforcement actions, such as grounding the aircraft until compliance is achieved, which can have severe operational and financial repercussions for the operators. Criminal charges may also be pursued in cases of severe non-compliance, leading to imprisonment for individuals involved.