COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-28 Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-28/81 Fuel Filter Drain Valve - Replacement 5/81
Applicability: All models except those with cabin operated fuel filter drain valves.
Requirement: Replace the existing fuel filter drain valve, Piper P/N 492022, with a spring loaded drain valve that has no provision for locking in the “OPEN” position.
Note: A drain valve suitable for this purpose is SAF AIR P/N CAV 110.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 May 1981.
Background: Eight forced landings have resulted from the fuel filter drain valve being left in the LOCKED-OPEN position after pre-flight water drain checks. Although sufficient engine power may be available for the take-off run, fuel leakage from the open drain valve is such that climb power often cannot be attained.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Parliament of Australia to regulate civil aviation safety and operations. Specifically, Part 39 of these regulations pertains to airworthiness directives, which are legally enforceable rules to correct an unsafe condition on an aircraft. One such directive, AD/PA-28/81, addresses the issue of fuel filter drain valve malfunctions in the Piper PA-28 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of forced landings due to fuel leakage, which can occur when the fuel filter drain valve is inadvertently left in the open position after pre-flight checks. The objective of this directive is to ensure the replacement of the existing fuel filter drain valve with a spring-loaded version that cannot be locked in the open position, thus preventing potential in-flight emergencies. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, requiring the replacement to be completed within 100 hours of the aeroplane's time in service after 31 May 1981.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the operation and safety of aircraft within Australian airspace, and includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that mandate specific maintenance and operational standards. AD/PA-28/81 concerns Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes, applying to all models except those equipped with cabin-operated fuel filter drain valves. The directive requires the replacement of the existing fuel filter drain valve, identified as Piper P/N 492022, with a spring-loaded version that prevents locking in the “OPEN” position. The directive mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1981, addressing a safety concern where the fuel filter drain valve was inadvertently left open, leading to forced landings due to insufficient climb power. This requirement underscores the importance of precise adherence to maintenance procedures to ensure flight safety and aligns with broader national safety regulations enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, mandate that all Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes, excluding those equipped with cabin-operated fuel filter drain valves, must replace their existing fuel filter drain valve (section 5/81). The requirement is to install a spring-loaded drain valve that does not allow the valve to be locked in the "OPEN" position (section 5/81). A suitable replacement valve for this purpose is the SAF AIR P/N CAV 110 (section 5/81). This change must be implemented within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1981 (section 5/81). The directive stems from eight reported forced landings caused by the fuel filter drain valve being inadvertently left in the LOCKED-OPEN position following pre-flight water drain checks (section 5/81). Despite sufficient engine power for the take-off run, the significant fuel leakage from the open drain valve often prevents the aircraft from achieving climb power (section 5/81).
Operators and owners of Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes must ensure that the specified fuel filter drain valve replacement is carried out in accordance with the timelines and specifications provided in the Civil Aviation Regulations (section 5/81). This involves sourcing and installing the SAF AIR P/N CAV 110 or an equivalent spring-loaded drain valve that meets the regulatory requirements (section 5/81). Maintenance logs and records must reflect the completion of this task within the stipulated timeframe to demonstrate compliance (section 5/81). Failure to adhere to these directives could result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, potentially leading to grounding and subsequent legal ramifications (section 5/81).
Breaching the requirements outlined in section 5/81 of the Civil Aviation Regulations could have serious legal consequences. Any operator or owner who fails to replace the fuel filter drain valve within the specified timeframe may face enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (section 5/81). The potential penalties for non-compliance could include fines, aircraft grounding orders, and even prosecution in severe cases (section 5/81). The maximum penalties for such breaches are determined by CASA and can vary based on the severity and impact of the non-compliance (section 5/81). It is imperative for all stakeholders to strictly adhere to the regulations to ensure safety and compliance with Australian aviation laws (section 5/81).