AD/PA-28/64 - Fuel Line - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, provide comprehensive regulations governing civil aviation safety and operations within Australia. One particular legislative instrument, F2006B05621, pertains to the Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes and was introduced to address safety concerns regarding fuel lines in certain model variants. This legislative instrument, specifically AD/PA-28/64, targets the Piper PA-28-235 models with serial numbers ranging from 28-10001 to 28-7710040. The objective of this directive is to mandate inspections of the fuel lines within 100 hours of time in service following 31 July 1977 to mitigate the risk of fuel line failures that could lead to unsafe conditions during flight. This safety measure is referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 571, Part D, and is integral to maintaining the airworthiness of the specified aircraft models.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically in Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandates inspections on fuel lines for the Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes. This directive applies to a specific subset of Piper PA-28-235 aeroplanes, those with serial numbers ranging from 28-10001 to 28-7710040. The requirement for compliance with this Airworthiness Directive (AD/PA-28/64) must be met within 100 hours of time in service after the effective date of 31 July 1977. This legislative instrument is a regulatory measure designed to ensure the airworthiness of these specific aircraft models by mandating periodic inspection of the fuel lines to mitigate potential risks associated with fuel line integrity. The directive ensures that these aeroplanes meet the required safety standards, thereby safeguarding passengers and crew on board.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, provide specific directives for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive is AD/PA-28/64, which pertains to the inspection of fuel lines on Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes (Section 105.10). This directive applies specifically to model PA-28-235 with serial numbers ranging from 28-10001 to 28-7710040. The requirement is for compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1977. Compliance must be evidenced by referencing Piper Service Bulletin No. 571, Part D. In terms of obligations, operators of the specified Piper PA-28-235 aeroplanes must ensure that the fuel line inspection is conducted as per the directive. This involves a thorough inspection of the fuel lines to verify they are free from any defects, damage, or wear that could compromise safety. The inspection must be carried out by a licensed aircraft maintenance technician who is qualified and authorised to perform such inspections under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations. The operator must maintain detailed records of all inspections performed, including the date, the person who performed the inspection, and the findings. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive AD/PA-28/64 can result in severe consequences. If an operator fails to adhere to the inspection requirements, they may face enforcement actions from CASA. Civil penalties may include fines up to a maximum of $66,000 for corporations and $13,200 for individuals, as stipulated in the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Additionally, non-compliance could result in the grounding of the aircraft until the required inspection is performed and approved by CASA, potentially leading to significant operational disruptions and financial loss for the operator. In the event of a serious breach that results in an accident, the operator could also face criminal charges, with potential penalties including imprisonment.