Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), contain numerous airworthiness directives to ensure the safety and compliance of aircraft within Australian airspace. One such directive, AD/PA-28/78, addresses an issue with the fuel tank vent and vent hose of specific Piper PA-28 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the problem of the fuel vent hose material being unsuitable for service, which could lead to fuel leakage and the accumulation of fumes in the wing areas. The policy objective is to mitigate safety risks associated with these defects by mandating modifications and replacements within a specified timeframe. The specific applicability of this directive includes various models of the Piper PA-28 series with defined serial numbers, requiring compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1979. The directive references Piper Service Bulletin No. 646, which outlines the necessary modifications to ensure the safety of these aircraft. By enforcing these airworthiness directives, CASA aims to maintain high safety standards and prevent potential hazards that could compromise flight safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD/PA-28/78) pertaining to the Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to certain models of the PA-28 series, including the PA-28-161, PA-28-181, PA-28-201T, PA-28-201, PA28RT-201, PA28R-201T, PA28RT-201T, PA-28-235, and PA-28-236, all within specified serial number ranges. The directive mandates modifications and replacements to the fuel tank vent and vent hose to address the issue of leakage and potential fuel fume accumulation in the wing areas, which poses safety risks. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1979. The directive applies nationally across Australia, covering all aircraft registered under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and operating within the Australian flight regime. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this directive, and it directly impacts the specified aircraft models and serial numbers. The directive is enforceable through CASA's regulatory powers, with potential for penalties or enforcement actions for non-compliance.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, section 105, sets forth an airworthiness directive (AD/PA-28/78) that mandates modifications to the fuel tank vent and vent hose of certain Piper PA-28 series aeroplanes (section 1). This directive applies to specific models and serial numbers of Piper PA-28 aircraft, including PA-28-161, PA-28-181, PA-28-201T, PA-28-201, PA-28RT-201, PA-28R-201T, PA28RT-201T, PA-28-235, and PA-28-236. The directive was issued due to concerns about the suitability of the material used in the fuel vent hose, which may lead to fuel leakage and the accumulation of fumes in the wing areas (section 2). Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1979 (section 3). The directive imposes specific obligations on the owners and operators of the affected aircraft. These obligations include inspecting the fuel tank vent and vent hose for any signs of wear, damage, or leakage. If any issues are identified, the vent hose must be replaced with a suitable alternative as specified in Piper SB No. 646 (section 4). The directive requires that all modifications and replacements be carried out by certified personnel in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and regulatory requirements. Additionally, operators must ensure that the aircraft is not operated until the required modifications are completed and the aircraft has been inspected and cleared for flight by a qualified individual (section 5). Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive AD/PA-28/78 can result in serious civil and criminal consequences. Civil penalties may include fines and enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Criminal penalties may also apply, particularly if non-compliance leads to safety incidents or accidents. The maximum penalties for breaches of the Civil Aviation Regulations can include fines of up to $1.1 million for corporations and $220,000 for individuals, as well as imprisonment for up to five years. The specific penalties depend on the severity of the breach and whether it is deemed to be a serious breach or a minor breach (section 6).