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-31/100 Fuel Scavenge Pump Check Valves 2/82
Applicability: Model PA-31T with S/Nos. 31T-7400002 to 31T-8120056. Model PA-31T1 with S/Nos. 31T-7804001 to 31T-8104067. Model PA-31T2 with S/Nos. 31T-8166001 to 31T-8166029.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Piper SB No. 734. Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 28 February 1982.
Background: The Manufacturer considers it essential to relocate the fuel scavenge pump check valves to a position aft of the firewall. This will eliminate a source of flame propagation in the event of a broken fuel line at the present location.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39, establish comprehensive safety standards and requirements for civil aviation in Australia. One such legislative instrument, F2006B05686, addresses the issue of fuel scavenge pump check valves in Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, the legislation aims to ensure the safety of aviation operations by mandating specific actions to mitigate risks associated with potential fuel line failures. The policy objective behind this directive is to prevent flame propagation by relocating the fuel scavenge pump check valves aft of the firewall, thereby enhancing the overall safety of the aircraft and its passengers.
This legislative instrument targets specific models of the Piper PA-31 Series, namely PA-31T, PA-31T1, and PA-31T2, with corresponding serial numbers, and requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after the specified date. The directive references Piper Service Bulletin No. 734 to outline the necessary actions for compliance. By implementing these measures, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority seeks to address the identified safety concern and maintain high standards of airworthiness for the affected aircraft models.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically address the airworthiness of certain aircraft models through Airworthiness Directives (ADs). One such directive, AD/PA-31/100, pertains to Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, focusing on the relocation of fuel scavenge pump check valves. This regulation applies to specific models of the Piper PA-31T series, namely those with serial numbers ranging from 31T-7400002 to 31T-8120056 for Model PA-31T, 31T-7804001 to 31T-8104067 for Model PA-31T1, and 31T-8166001 to 31T-8166029 for Model PA-31T2. The directive requires compliance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 734, mandating the relocation of the check valves to a position aft of the firewall to prevent flame propagation in case of a broken fuel line. The requirement must be met within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1982. The regulation is a Commonwealth initiative, extending its jurisdictional reach across the entire nation, ensuring safety standards are uniformly enforced in civil aviation. The directive does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, and its application is direct without the need for subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that are crucial for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. Within this section, AD/PA-31/100 pertains to Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, particularly focusing on fuel scavenge pump check valves (paragraph 2/82). This directive applies to specific models and serial numbers of the PA-31T, PA-31T1, and PA-31T2 series. The requirement is to take action as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 734, which involves relocating the fuel scavenge pump check valves to a position aft of the firewall. This change is intended to prevent flame propagation in the event of a broken fuel line, enhancing the overall safety of the aircraft.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Aircraft operators must ensure that the fuel scavenge pump check valves are relocated according to Piper SB No. 734. Compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1982. This directive mandates that the necessary modifications are made to the affected aircraft to meet the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Failure to comply with these requirements can result in serious safety risks, and therefore, adherence is mandatory.
Failure to comply with the AD/PA-31/100 directive can lead to various consequences. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state specific offences or penalties for non-compliance with this particular directive, general regulations under Part 39 impose severe penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. These penalties can include fines and potential criminal charges for those responsible for the aircraft's maintenance and operation. The severity of the penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the requirements set out in the directive to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew on board.
In summary, AD/PA-31/100 is a critical directive that mandates the relocation of fuel scavenge pump check valves on specified Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes to enhance safety. Operators are required to comply with Piper SB No. 734 within a defined timeframe, and failure to do so can result in significant legal and safety repercussions. This directive is a testament to the ongoing commitment to aviation safety by ensuring that aircraft meet the highest standards of airworthiness.