AD/PA-28/30 - Engine Mount Tubes - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, encompass a detailed regulatory framework designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations focuses on the issuance of airworthiness directives, which are mandatory orders issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety issues in aircraft operations. This legislative instrument, known as AD/PA-28/30, was enacted to address specific safety concerns related to the engine mount tubes of Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes, particularly for certain model numbers and serial ranges. The policy objective is to mandate regular inspections and maintenance of these components to prevent potential failure, thereby ensuring the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft. CASA, acting under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, enforces these directives to uphold the highest safety standards in the aviation sector.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, mandates Airworthiness Directives concerning the Piper PA-28 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to specific models of Piper PA-28R-180 and PA-28R-200 aeroplanes with certain serial numbers, excluding those with engine mounts serial numbers S51 and subsequent. The regulation requires a thorough inspection of the engine mount tubes for the specified models, with compliance necessary within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1971, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours until the aeroplanes are repaired or modified in accordance with Piper Service Letter No. 568. This regulation is enforced nationally across Australia, ensuring adherence to safety standards for the identified aircraft models, and is further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments as required by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines several key provisions concerning the airworthiness directives for certain Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes. Section 39-105(3/71) addresses the inspection of engine mount tubes on Model PA-28R-180 with specific serial numbers (28R-30004 to 28R-31265) and Model PA-28R-200 with serial numbers (28R-35001 to 28R-35659), with the exception of those with engine mounts serial numbers S51 and subsequent. Compliance with these directives is mandated within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1971, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the aeroplanes are repaired or modified in accordance with Piper Service Letter No. 568. The obligations imposed by these regulations are clear and specific. Owners and operators of the affected Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes must ensure that the required inspections of the engine mount tubes are conducted within the prescribed timeframes. This includes the initial inspection within 100 hours after the specified date and subsequent inspections at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. Failure to comply with these inspection requirements can result in the aeroplane being deemed non-airworthy, which could prevent it from being operated until the necessary repairs or modifications are completed in line with the Piper Service Letter No. 568. Failure to adhere to the airworthiness directives set forth in Section 39-105(3/71) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to severe consequences. If an operator does not comply with the inspection requirements, they may face enforcement actions from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This could include penalties such as fines or, in more severe cases, the suspension or revocation of the aeroplane’s certificate of airworthiness. Such actions can have significant financial and operational impacts on the aeroplane owner or operator. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide for potential criminal penalties for serious breaches. If an individual is found to have knowingly operated an aeroplane that does not comply with the airworthiness directives, they could face criminal charges, resulting in substantial fines and imprisonment. The exact penalties for these offences are determined by the courts and can vary based on the severity and circumstances of the breach, but they are designed to ensure that safety standards are upheld rigorously in the interests of public safety and aviation security.