AD/PA-31/31 - Submerged Fuel Pumps - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) were enacted to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the regulations addresses the safety of Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes, with an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued concerning submerged fuel pumps. AD/PA-31/31 was introduced to address the issue of submerged fuel pumps in the Piper PA-31P series aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers from 31P-1 to 31P-7400196. The objective of this directive is to ensure ongoing airworthiness by requiring inspections of the submerged fuel pumps within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1974 and at intervals not exceeding 100 hours thereafter. This regulation is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth). The policy objective is to mitigate risks associated with submerged fuel pumps to ensure the safety and reliability of the aircraft in operation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the implementation of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) aimed at ensuring the safe operation of civil aircraft. One such directive, AD/PA-31/31, pertains to the submerged fuel pumps of Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes, particularly the PA-31P models with serial numbers ranging from 31P-1 to 31P-7400196. This directive applies to all aircraft operators and maintenance personnel who service these specific models, necessitating regular inspections of the submerged fuel pumps to maintain airworthiness. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service following 31 July 1974 and must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service thereafter. The regulations apply across the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby encompassing all states and territories under the oversight of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The scope of the directive is specifically tailored to these aircraft models, with no stated exclusions or exemptions, ensuring that all relevant operators adhere to the stipulated inspection intervals. The authority to extend or refine the application of these regulations is reserved through subordinate instruments as necessary.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address the safety and airworthiness of aircraft through a system of directives. In this context, Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-31/31 pertains to Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, focusing on the submerged fuel pumps. Section 7/74 of this directive mandates that the fuel pumps on model PA-31P aeroplanes, serial numbers 31P-1 to 31P-7400196, must be inspected after 100 hours of service following 31 July 1974, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of service. This directive is grounded in Piper SL No. 711, which provides the technical specifications and guidelines for compliance. The obligations under this directive are clear: owners and operators of the specified Piper PA-31P aeroplanes must ensure that the fuel pumps are inspected as stipulated. This involves adhering to the prescribed intervals and documenting the inspections in accordance with the directive. It is imperative that the inspections are conducted by appropriately qualified personnel to maintain the aircraft's airworthiness and safety standards. Failure to comply with these inspection requirements could compromise the aircraft's safety and result in regulatory action. In terms of enforcement and consequences, non-compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and the specific airworthiness directives is taken seriously. The regulations impose both civil and criminal penalties for violations. Civil penalties may include fines and the potential grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections are performed. For more severe breaches, criminal charges may be brought against the responsible parties, including operators and maintenance personnel. The maximum penalties can include substantial fines and imprisonment, reflecting the gravity of compromising aviation safety. The specific penalties are determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and can vary based on the nature and severity of the breach.