AD/PA-28/44 - Rear Seat Belt Attachment - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority of the Australian Government, include specific provisions to ensure the safety of civil aviation operations within Australia. The regulations were enacted to establish a comprehensive framework for the regulation of civil aviation, addressing various aspects of aircraft operations, maintenance, and safety standards. The policy objective of these regulations is to safeguard the public by ensuring that civil aviation activities are conducted in a manner that minimises risks to safety. One specific legislative instrument, F2006B05602, pertains to Airworthiness Directives for certain Piper PA-28 series aeroplanes. This directive, AD/PA-28/44, was introduced to address a safety concern related to the rear seat belt attachments in specific models of the Piper PA-28 series aeroplanes. The directive requires modifications to the rear seat belt attachments to mitigate potential safety risks associated with these components. The Piper PA-28 series aeroplanes covered by this directive include models PA-28-140 with serial numbers 28-7225001 to 28-7325674, PA-28-180 with serial numbers 28-7205001 to 28-7305601, PA-28-235 with serial numbers 28-7210001 to 28-7310176, and PA-28R-200 with serial numbers 28R-7235001 to 28R-7335446. Compliance with the directive is mandatory, requiring the specified modifications to be completed within 100 hours of the aeroplanes' time in service after 28 June 1974. This directive is in line with the overarching policy of ensuring that all civil aviation activities adhere to the highest safety standards, thereby protecting both the crew and passengers on board.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes directives for aircraft manufacturers and operators to ensure safety standards are maintained. This particular legislation applies to specific models within the Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes, namely the PA-28-140, PA-28-180, PA-28-235, and PA-28R-200, with serial numbers falling within specified ranges. The directive mandates a modification to the rear seat belt attachment for these models, outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 393. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after the directive's issuance date, 28 June 1974. This regulation applies directly to aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance providers who are responsible for ensuring their aircraft meet the specified safety requirements. The jurisdictional reach of these regulations is national, administered under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia. There are no exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds specified within this directive; it applies uniformly to the identified aircraft models and serial number ranges.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, including AD/PA-28/44 which pertains to the modification of rear seat belt attachments on Piper PA-28 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to certain model numbers within the series, as detailed in the legislation (Part 39 - 105(6/74)). The primary requirement is that the specified modifications to the rear seat belt attachments must be carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 28 June 1974. The obligations imposed by this legislation are clear and straightforward. Operators and owners of the affected Piper PA-28 aeroplanes must ensure that the necessary modifications are completed as per the Piper Service Bulletin No. 393. This involves inspecting the rear seat belt attachments and making the specified modifications to meet the safety standards set forth by CASA. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to significant operational disruptions and legal consequences. In terms of compliance, the regulations mandate that the modifications must be performed within the specified timeframe. This requirement is non-negotiable, and CASA reserves the right to conduct inspections and audits to ensure adherence. Non-compliance with these airworthiness directives is taken very seriously, and there are established penalties and consequences for breaches. The severity of the penalties can depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but they can include fines, enforcement notices, and in severe cases, the grounding of the aircraft until the necessary modifications are completed. The penalties for non-compliance with these airworthiness directives are designed to ensure that safety standards are upheld without fail. The maximum penalties can be substantial, reflecting the seriousness of the safety implications. For instance, failure to adhere to the specified timeframe for making the modifications can result in significant fines and potential criminal charges. Additionally, CASA has the authority to issue enforcement notices, which can mandate corrective actions and impose further financial penalties if the operator fails to comply within a specified period. These measures are in place to ensure that all parties governed by these regulations take their safety obligations seriously and act accordingly.