COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-28/56 Quick-Disconnect Seat Retention Mechanism - Inspection
Applicability: Model PA-28-180 with S/Nos. 28-7105001 to 28-7505046.
Model PA-28R-180 with S/Nos. 28R-7130001 to 28R-7130013. Model PA-28R-200 with S/Nos. 28R-7135001 to 28R-7535041. Model PA-28-235 with S/Nos. 28-7110001 to 28-7510016.
Document: Piper SL No. 763.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 January 1976.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the legislative instrument F2006B05613, was enacted to enhance aviation safety standards in Australia. This regulation, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), targets the Piper PA-28 series aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers falling within defined ranges. The legislation was introduced to address the safety concerns associated with the quick-disconnect seat retention mechanism, as outlined in Piper Service Letter No. 763. The primary objective of this regulation is to ensure compliance with the inspection requirements for these mechanisms, thereby enhancing the overall safety of the aircraft in operation. This legislative action is a response to identified safety risks, aiming to mitigate potential hazards by mandating regular inspections of the specified aircraft models.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, applies to all persons and entities involved in the operation, maintenance, and certification of civil aircraft within Australia, including the maintenance and inspection of aircraft components. Within this regulatory framework, the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-28/56 pertains to the inspection of quick-disconnect seat retention mechanisms for certain Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes, including models PA-28-180, PA-28R-180, PA-28R-200, and PA-28-235 within specified serial number ranges. The directive applies to aircraft with a time in service of 100 hours after 30 January 1976, and compliance must be achieved in accordance with Piper Service Letter No. 763. This AD is enforced under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that the specified aircraft meet airworthiness standards. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in this directive; all applicable aircraft must comply with the specified inspection requirements.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of this regulation, specifically AD/PA-28/56, mandate that certain Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes, identified by their specific serial numbers, must undergo an inspection of their quick-disconnect seat retention mechanism. This inspection is required within 100 hours of the aeroplanes' time in service after 30 January 1976 (Section 1). The regulation applies to the following models: the PA-28-180 with serial numbers between 28-7105001 and 28-7505046, the PA-28R-180 with serial numbers between 28R-7130001 and 28R-7130013, the PA-28R-200 with serial numbers between 28R-7135001 and 28R-7535041, and the PA-28-235 with serial numbers between 28-7110001 and 28-7510016 (Section 1).
The obligations imposed by this regulation primarily fall on the owners or operators of the specified Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes. They are required to ensure that the quick-disconnect seat retention mechanisms on their aeroplanes are inspected according to the outlined parameters. Compliance with this inspection requirement is crucial, and the document reference, Piper SL No. 763, should be used as a guide for the inspection procedures and criteria (Section 1).
Failure to comply with the requirements of this regulation can result in various consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text, breaches of civil aviation regulations generally attract administrative, civil, or criminal penalties. These may include fines, enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and potential criminal charges in cases of serious non-compliance that endanger safety (Section 2). The exact penalties and consequences would be determined by the authority and the severity of the breach.