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-31/12 Engine Control System - Inspection
and Modification
6/70
Applicability: All models with S/Nos. 31-2, 31-4 to 31-526, 31-528 to 31-536, 31-538 to 31-561,
31-563 to 31-578, 31-580 to 31-584, 31-586 to 31-596, 31-598 to 31-599, 31-602,
31-604 to 31-606, 31-614, 31-619, 31-621, 31-623 to 31-626, 31-629 to 31-632, 31-
637 and 31-641.
Document: Piper SL No. 548.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 June 1970.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, address the need for stringent regulations to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. This legislation includes specific directives to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft, and one such directive is AD/PA-31/12, which pertains to the engine control system of Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address potential safety issues related to the engine control systems in these aircraft models. The objective of AD/PA-31/12 is to mandate inspections and modifications to ensure that the specified aircraft models comply with safety standards, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation operations within Australia.
The authority to enforce these directives lies with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is responsible for ensuring that all applicable aircraft meet the required safety standards. The AD/PA-31/12 directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1970 for the specified Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, highlighting CASA's commitment to maintaining high safety standards in the aviation sector. This directive ensures that any identified issues with the engine control systems are addressed promptly, reducing the risk of in-flight failures and enhancing the safety of air travel.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These regulations apply to all Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes that fall within specific serial numbers, as outlined in AD/PA-31/12. This directive mandates the inspection and modification of the engine control system for these specified models, ensuring compliance within 100 hours of time in service following 30 June 1970. The regulation extends its jurisdictional reach across the Commonwealth of Australia, applying to any aircraft within the defined serial numbers, regardless of their operation within state or territory boundaries. The directive does not specify exclusions or exemptions, but it may be subject to further clarification or expansion through subordinate instruments issued by CASA. These regulations are integral to maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft models, ensuring they meet the necessary standards for continued operation in Australian airspace.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in Part 39, specify certain directives related to the airworthiness of aircraft, including the Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes. The specific Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-31/12 focuses on the engine control system, mandating both an inspection and a modification (section 105). This directive applies to all Piper PA-31 models with specific serial numbers (SN) detailed in the directive (section 6/70). The directive references Piper Service Letter No. 548 for compliance details.
Entities and parties governed by this legislation, including aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance service providers, must ensure compliance with the directive. Specifically, they must conduct an inspection and, if necessary, a modification of the engine control system. This is to be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1970 (section 6/70). The directive requires these actions to be performed to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft as per the regulatory standards set forth in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.
Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in AD/PA-31/12 may lead to significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines up to a certain maximum amount, as prescribed by the relevant regulations. Criminal penalties could also be imposed, potentially including imprisonment, depending on the severity and intent behind the non-compliance. The exact penalties and enforcement actions are determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and are governed by the broader legislative framework.