AD/PA-28/73 - Hose Assembly - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, were established to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. Among its various parts and amendments, Part 39 - 105 specifically addresses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This regulatory framework was introduced to address safety issues and ensure compliance with airworthiness standards for specific aircraft models. One such directive, AD/PA-28/73, pertains to the Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes and mandates the inspection and modification of hose assemblies to mitigate potential risks identified in certain models. The directive, as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 611, requires compliance within 10 hours of time in service after 13 December 1978, underscoring CASA's commitment to maintaining stringent safety standards in the aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as detailed in Part 39 - 105, establish specific airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models, including those in the Piper PA-28 series. In this context, the particular directive AD/PA-28/73 mandates the inspection and modification of hose assemblies on Piper PA-28R-201 and PA-28R-201T models, with serial numbers falling within the specified ranges. This regulation applies to all operators and owners of the affected aircraft, ensuring compliance to maintain safety standards in line with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's requirements. The directive's jurisdictional reach is national, applying across all states and territories within Australia. The legislation does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, and compliance is mandatory for all affected aircraft within the defined timeframe of 10 hours of time in service after 13 December 1978. Further specifications and details can be obtained from Piper Service Bulletin No. 611.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105 and the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, include provisions concerning the airworthiness of specific aircraft models. For the Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes, the critical sections are AD/PA-28/73 which mandates inspection and modification of the hose assembly (1/79). This directive applies to specific models of the PA-28R-201 and PA-28R-201T, identified by their serial numbers. The compliance requirement is that these inspections and modifications must be completed within 10 hours of time in service after 13 December 1978, as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 611. The obligations imposed by these regulations are clear and specific. Operators of the affected aircraft models must ensure that the hose assembly inspection and modification are performed by qualified personnel, adhering to the guidance provided in the referenced service bulletin. This ensures that the aircraft remains airworthy and complies with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) standards. Additionally, operators must maintain records of compliance, demonstrating that the required actions have been taken within the stipulated timeframe. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in these regulations can lead to serious consequences. The Act provides for both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. Civil penalties may include fines and enforcement actions taken by CASA, while criminal penalties could result in more severe sanctions, depending on the nature and severity of the breach. The maximum penalties for such offences are specified in the relevant sections of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and could include substantial fines and imprisonment for individuals responsible for the oversight or operation of the non-compliant aircraft. Ensuring adherence to these directives is therefore crucial to avoid these serious repercussions.