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-28/83 Battery Protection and Rear Seat Installation - Inspection
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Applicability: All models PA-28-151 & PA-28-161 with S/Nos. referenced in Piper SB No. 631B or with S/Nos. referenced in subsequent issues or revisions of that SB.
Document: Piper SB No. 631B. (FAA AD 81-23-05 Refers).
Compliance: 1. Part I: Before further flight after 25 November 1981, unless already
accomplished.
2. Part II: Within 50 hours time in service after 25 November 1981, unless already accomplished.
Background: The manufacturer has received reports of the seat base springs chafing the battery box cover and the springs subsequently contacting the battery terminals.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, encompasses a legislative instrument that addresses safety concerns related to Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes. The document F2006B05637, known as Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-28/83, was introduced to tackle issues associated with battery protection and rear seat installation. This directive was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to ensure that aeroplanes of the PA-28-151 and PA-28-161 models comply with safety standards, particularly those concerning the battery box cover and seat base springs. The policy objective is to prevent potential hazards such as the chafing of battery box covers by seat base springs, which could lead to electrical issues and compromise flight safety.
The directive mandates specific inspection and compliance timelines, requiring certain inspections to be completed before further flight after 25 November 1981, or within 50 hours in service after this date, unless the tasks have already been carried out. This directive ensures that all relevant aircraft are inspected and any necessary modifications are implemented to maintain airworthiness and passenger safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 mandates specific inspection requirements for the Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes, particularly for models PA-28-151 and PA-28-161, with serial numbers referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 631B or any subsequent issues or revisions of that bulletin. This legislation applies to all aircraft within the specified serial number ranges and aims to address safety concerns related to the battery box cover and its interaction with the seat base springs. The inspections are critical to prevent potential electrical issues that could arise from the springs contacting the battery terminals. The regulation applies to both new and existing aircraft, demanding that the required inspections be completed either before the aircraft can be further flown after 25 November 1981, or within 50 hours of time in service after that date, if not already performed. This directive is integral to ensuring compliance with aviation safety standards, and CASA enforces adherence through its regulatory authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the compliance with Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). One such AD, AD/PA-28/83, pertains to Piper PA-28 Series aeroplanes and focuses on battery protection and the installation of the rear seat. Section 39-105(1) requires that all models PA-28-151 and PA-28-161, with serial numbers referenced in Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No. 631B or subsequent revisions, must comply with the directive. This directive is referenced from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 81-23-05.
The AD/PA-28/83 includes two primary compliance parts. Part I necessitates an inspection before further flight after 25 November 1981, unless the inspection has already been carried out. Part II requires the inspection to be completed within 50 hours of time in service after the same date, again unless it has already been performed. This ensures that the issue of seat base springs chafing the battery box cover and subsequently contacting the battery terminals is addressed promptly.
Entities governed by these regulations are required to ensure that the necessary inspections are carried out as per the AD. Owners, operators, and maintenance personnel must adhere to the specified timelines to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. This involves detailed checks of the rear seat installation and the battery protection system to prevent any potential hazards.
Failure to comply with the AD/PA-28/83 can result in serious consequences. The regulations impose strict obligations, and non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions. The penalties for breaches can include fines and potential legal action. The exact penalties are not specified in the text, but they can be severe, reflecting the importance of adhering to air safety directives. The overarching aim is to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety and prevent incidents related to electrical faults or other issues stemming from the rear seat installation.