AD/PA-28/70 - Fuel Drain Cover - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through Legislative Instrument F2006B05627, introduce a specific Airworthiness Directive aimed at addressing safety concerns associated with Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes. This directive, AD/PA-28/70, targets model PA-28-235 with serial numbers ranging from 28-10003 to 28-10660, and mandates the replacement of the fuel drain cover to ensure compliance within 100 hours of time in service following 31 December 1978. The enactment of these regulations by the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, is a response to identified safety gaps in the original design and operation of these aircraft models. The policy objective is to mitigate potential safety risks by enforcing timely maintenance actions that directly address structural integrity issues, thus enhancing overall aviation safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, applies to the Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes, more precisely to the model PA-28-235 with serial numbers ranging from 28-10003 to 28-10660. This directive is established by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is a legislative instrument aimed at ensuring the airworthiness of these specific aircraft models. The directive mandates the replacement of the fuel drain cover on these aeroplanes, as outlined in the Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-28/70, to be complied with within 100 hours of time in service following 31 December 1978. This requirement extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby imposing a national obligation on aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel to adhere to the stipulated safety measures. No exclusions or exemptions are explicitly stated in the document, implying a broad application to the specified aircraft models within the jurisdiction of CASA. The directive may also be supplemented by subordinate instruments to provide further clarity or additional requirements, ensuring comprehensive adherence to safety standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, includes a legislative instrument concerning the airworthiness directives for Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes (section 39.105). This directive, designated AD/PA-28/70, pertains to the replacement of fuel drain covers. The applicability of this directive is confined to model PA-28-235 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 28-10003 to 28-10660 (section 39.105(1)). Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1978, as outlined in Piper SL No. 856. The obligations imposed by this directive are straightforward. Owners and operators of the affected Piper PA-28-235 aeroplanes must ensure that the fuel drain covers are replaced as per the directive. This replacement is critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft, and compliance must be documented and verified by an authorised person. The directive specifies that the replacement must be completed within the stipulated timeframe, which is 100 hours after the specified date, to ensure the aircraft remains safe and compliant with civil aviation standards. Breach of this directive can lead to significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces the regulations, and failure to comply with AD/PA-28/70 can result in penalties. Such penalties may include fines and potential grounding of the aircraft, which can disrupt operations and lead to further legal and financial repercussions. Additionally, if the non-compliance results in an accident or incident, the penalties can be more severe, potentially including criminal charges against the responsible parties. The maximum penalties for non-compliance are not explicitly stated in this particular directive but are aligned with the broader regulatory framework that governs civil aviation safety.