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-31/105 Emergency Exit Window - Modification 8/82
Applicability: Model PA-31T with S/Nos. 31T-8120036 to 31T-8120042, 31T-8120044 to 31T- 8120050, 31T-8120055 and 31T- 8120057. Model PA-31T1 with S/Nos. 31T-810040 and 31T-8104041, 31T-8104043 to 31T-8104046, 31T-8104048, 31T-8104051, 31T- 8104054, 31T-8104055, 31T-8104057 and 31T-8104058. Model PA-31T2 with S/Nos. 31T-8166001, 31T-8166005 to 31T-8166017, 31T-8166019 to 31T-8166021, 31T-8166030 and 31T-8166031.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Piper SB No. 733.
Note: FAA AD 82-11-04 refers.
Compliance: Unless previously accomplished, within 100 hours time in service after 31 August 1982.
Background: Manufacturer reports an excess sealant condition exists which could restrict or delay emergency exit removal during an emergency.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by F2006B05691, specifically address the safety of Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directives (AD). Enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, these regulations aim to mitigate safety risks associated with specific aircraft models. This legislative instrument targets a particular problem identified by the manufacturer, which involves an excess sealant condition that could hinder the removal of emergency exit windows during an emergency. This could potentially delay evacuation, thereby posing a significant risk to passengers and crew. The policy objective of these regulations is to ensure the aircraft meet safety standards by requiring compliance with the specified modifications within a defined timeframe.
The AD/PA-31/105 mandates that specific models of the Piper PA-31 Series must undergo a modification to the emergency exit window sealant as per Piper Service Bulletin No. 733. This requirement applies to certain serial numbers within the PA-31T, PA-31T1, and PA-31T2 models. The compliance period stipulates that the necessary actions must be taken within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1982, ensuring that the identified safety issue is promptly addressed. This directive underscores the importance of maintaining stringent safety standards in civil aviation to protect the public.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, applies to certain Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes. These regulations mandate modifications to the emergency exit windows on specific models and serial numbers of Piper PA-31T, PA-31T1, and PA-31T2 aeroplanes to address an excess sealant condition that could hinder the removal of the emergency exit during an emergency. This applies to aircraft with serial numbers listed within the specified ranges for each model. The regulations are binding across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring compliance with civil aviation safety standards. Notably, the regulations do not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds other than the requirement for compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1982, unless the modification has already been completed. The application of these directives is also supplemented by the Federal Aviation Administration's AD 82-11-04, which refers to FAA AD 82-11-04.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, addresses the airworthiness directives for the Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes, with a particular focus on emergency exit windows (AD/PA-31/105). This directive mandates that certain specified models and serial numbers of Piper PA-31T, PA-31T1, and PA-31T2 aeroplanes must undergo modifications to their emergency exit windows to ensure they can be opened swiftly and effectively during an emergency (Section 105). The requirement is to implement the modifications as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 733, which is referenced in FAA AD 82-11-04. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for the specified models and serial numbers, with a compliance deadline set at 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1982.
Entities and individuals governed by this directive, including aircraft operators, maintenance providers, and aviation authorities, must ensure that the specified modifications are completed within the stipulated timeframe. This involves inspecting the emergency exit windows and applying the necessary modifications to prevent any excess sealant that could impede the emergency removal of these windows. The directive applies to a specific set of aircraft models and serial numbers, and it is the responsibility of the operators and maintenance providers to identify if their aircraft fall within this scope and to take corrective action as required.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can lead to significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce compliance through various means, including the issuance of compliance orders, fines, and potentially grounding the aircraft until the required modifications are completed. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text, but they can include financial penalties, operational restrictions, or other enforcement actions as deemed appropriate by CASA. Ensuring adherence to these directives is crucial to maintaining the safety standards required in civil aviation.