AD/PA-28/61 - Lower Cowl Drain - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, is a comprehensive framework governing aviation safety across the nation. One specific regulation, AD/PA-28/61, was introduced to address safety concerns regarding the lower cowl drain in certain Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes. This legislation mandates the inspection and, if necessary, modification of the lower cowl drain to prevent issues such as water accumulation, which could compromise flight safety. The objective of this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft models, specifically PA-28-150, PA-28-160, PA-28-180, PA-28-181, and PA-28-235, by implementing timely compliance checks within 100 hours of service after the directive's effective date of 31 May 1977. This directive is part of a broader policy aimed at maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety through proactive maintenance measures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to the specified Piper PA-28 series aeroplanes, including models PA-28-150, PA-28-160, PA-28-180, PA-28-181, and PA-28-235, within certain serial number ranges. These regulations are applicable to any person or entity operating these aircraft in Australian airspace, thus affecting the aviation industry by imposing specific maintenance requirements. The legislation mandates compliance with the Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-28/61 concerning the lower cowl drain inspection and modification within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1977. The regulation is a Commonwealth instrument, extending its reach across Australia, and applies uniformly regardless of state or territory boundaries. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the text, implying that all specified aircraft must comply with the directive. The scope of the regulation can be further detailed or expanded through subordinate instruments, which may provide additional clarification or operational guidance.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, details various safety directives, one of which is AD/PA-28/61, focusing on the lower cowl drain inspection and modification for Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to certain models and serial numbers of the PA-28 aeroplanes, including PA-28-150, PA-28-160, PA-28-180, PA-28-181, and PA-28-235, within defined serial number ranges (sections 5/77). The document referenced for compliance is Piper SL No. 796. Under this directive, operators of the specified Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes must ensure that the lower cowl drain is inspected and modified as required within 100 hours of time in service after the directive was issued, which was 31 May 1977 (sections 5/77). The compliance must be documented and verified to meet the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Operators and entities governed by these regulations are required to adhere strictly to the timeframe and procedures outlined in AD/PA-28/61. They must conduct the necessary inspections and modifications to the lower cowl drain to ensure that the aeroplanes meet the required safety standards. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to significant consequences. Breach of these safety directives can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions, including potential fines and other penalties. Although the specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the provided text, such breaches are taken seriously to ensure the continued safety and integrity of civil aviation operations in Australia.