COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-31/1 Nose Landing Gear Idler Link Assembly -
Modification
12/67
Applicability: All models with S/Nos. 31-2 to 31-7, 31-9 to 31-17, 31-20 to 31-24, 31-27 to 31-29,
31-31 and 31-32.
Document: Piper SL No. 492, Part 11. Compliance: Before 1 January 1968.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, were enacted to regulate the safety of civil aviation in Australia. The specific legislative instrument F2006B05684 pertains to Airworthiness Directives (AD) for the Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, aiming to address safety concerns associated with specific components of these aircraft. The directive focuses on the nose landing gear idler link assembly, which was identified as needing modification to prevent potential safety hazards, particularly for certain serial number ranges of the Piper PA-31 Series. This instrument was introduced to ensure compliance with safety standards and mitigate risks that could compromise the integrity of the aircraft during operations. The policy objective is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation through the enforcement of rigorous airworthiness standards.
The Civil Aviation (Safety) Regulations 1998, as part of the broader legislative framework overseen by CASA, are designed to ensure that all civil aviation activities in Australia adhere to strict safety protocols. The specific AD/PA-31/1 targets Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, mandating modifications to the nose landing gear idler link assembly for specified serial numbers. This directive is crucial in addressing known safety issues that could potentially lead to catastrophic failures during flight operations. By enforcing these modifications, the regulations aim to uphold the highest safety standards in civil aviation, ensuring the protection of passengers, crew, and the general public. The enactment of these regulations by the Australian Government reflects a commitment to maintaining rigorous safety standards within the aviation industry.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which governs the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to the Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes. This regulation mandates compliance with the Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-31/1, which pertains to the nose landing gear idler link assembly modification. This directive applies to all Piper PA-31 aeroplanes with specific serial numbers ranging from 31-2 to 31-7, 31-9 to 31-17, 31-20 to 31-24, 31-27 to 31-29, 31-31, and 31-32. The requirement for compliance is that it must be done before 1 January 1968, as referenced in Piper Service Letter No. 492, Part 11. This regulation has a national reach and applies to all operators and owners of the specified Piper PA-31 models within Australia, ensuring adherence to safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the scope of this directive, and compliance is mandatory for the specified aircraft models within the Australian jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/PA-31/1, require modifications to the nose landing gear idler link assembly for certain Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all models with specific serial numbers (s. 1). Compliance with this directive must be achieved before 1 January 1968, as referenced in Piper SL No. 492, Part 11 (s. 2).
These regulations impose clear obligations on the parties involved, such as aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance providers. They must ensure that the specified Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes undergo the necessary modifications to the nose landing gear idler link assembly as detailed in the directive. Compliance with these requirements is essential to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensure safety standards are met (s. 3).
Failure to comply with these directives can lead to severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can take enforcement actions against non-compliant aircraft. Potential penalties include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, and even criminal charges if the non-compliance results in safety hazards or accidents. The specific penalties can vary, but they are intended to enforce strict adherence to airworthiness standards (s. 4).