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-31/28 Control Attachment Ball Joints - Inspection 12/73
Applicability: Models PA-31 and PA-31-300 with S/Nos. 31-2 and on. Model PA-31-350 with S/Nos. 31-5001 and on. Model PA-31P with S/Nos. 31P-1 and on.
Document: Piper SB No. 407.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 December 1973.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, was enacted to establish a regulatory framework for ensuring the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, was introduced to address the need for standardised airworthiness directives and regulatory oversight in civil aviation. A significant problem it aimed to resolve was ensuring that all civil aircraft operating in Australia met specific safety standards, thereby enhancing the overall safety of air travel within the country. The policy objective of this regulation was to provide clear and enforceable directives that would maintain and improve the safety of aircraft operations, which is fundamental to the protection of passengers, crew, and the general public.
As part of the Civil Aviation Regulations, the 1998 Act included provisions for issuing airworthiness directives, such as AD/PA-31/28, which mandates inspections of control attachment ball joints in Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes. This specific directive was introduced to address known safety issues in the Piper PA-31 models, ensuring that these aircraft meet the necessary safety standards. The directive specifies the applicability of the inspection requirement to certain serial numbers of the models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-350, and PA-31P, and mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1973, as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 407. The overarching goal is to mitigate potential risks associated with the specified components, thereby enhancing the overall safety and reliability of these aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as detailed in Part 39 - 105, apply to specific models of Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes, namely the PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-350, and PA-31P, with respective serial numbers commencing from certain points as specified. These regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and have a national reach across Australia, ensuring that all relevant aircraft meet the stipulated safety standards. The directive mandates inspections of the control attachment ball joints for the mentioned models to be carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1973, in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 407. Compliance with these directives is mandatory, and there are no stated exclusions or exemptions provided in the text. This legislative instrument extends its application through subordinate instruments, ensuring that all specified aircraft are subject to the outlined safety measures.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contains the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, including AD/PA-31/28 which pertains to Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes. This directive (Section 1) mandates a thorough inspection of the control attachment ball joints for all Piper PA-31 and PA-31-300 models with serial numbers 31-2 and onwards, as well as for PA-31-350 models from serial number 31-5001 and onwards, and for PA-31P models from serial number 31P-1 and onwards. The directive is based on Piper Service Bulletin No. 407 and requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1973.
Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, the obligations imposed by AD/PA-31/28 primarily concern aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance providers. They must ensure that the control attachment ball joints of the specified Piper PA-31 models are inspected according to the requirements outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 407. This involves a detailed examination to ascertain the condition of the ball joints and to replace any that are found to be worn or damaged, ensuring that the aircraft remains airworthy and complies with safety standards. Maintenance records must be kept to demonstrate compliance with this directive.
Failure to comply with AD/PA-31/28 can result in severe consequences. According to the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance is an offence and can lead to civil or criminal penalties. Specifically, the maximum penalty for contravening this airworthiness directive can include fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach. The precise penalties are determined by the court, but they can be substantial, reflecting the importance of adhering to safety directives in the aviation industry.