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-31/36 Elevator Control Tube - Inspection 2/75
Applicability: All models PA-31 and PA-31-300 with S/Nos. 31-1 to 31-7401248; and PA-31-350 with S/Nos. 31-5001 to 31-7405242 and 31-7405400 to 31-7405462.
Document: Piper SB No. 433.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 28 February 1975.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, establish a comprehensive framework for civil aviation safety, aiming to protect the public and ensure the safety of aircraft operations. One of the key components of these regulations is Part 39, which addresses airworthiness directives, including AD/PA-31/36 concerning the Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes. This specific directive was introduced to address issues with the elevator control tube, necessitating inspections to prevent potential safety hazards. The policy objective behind these regulations is to maintain the highest standards of safety in civil aviation, ensuring that all aircraft meet stringent safety criteria before and during operation. Compliance with such directives is mandatory and crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of the specified aircraft models.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 – 105, apply to the maintenance and airworthiness of specific Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes, namely the PA-31 and PA-31-300 models with serial numbers ranging from 31-1 to 31-7401248, as well as the PA-31-350 models with serial numbers from 31-5001 to 31-7405242 and from 31-7405400 to 31-7405462. These regulations mandate an inspection of the elevator control tube within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1975, as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 433. This directive is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is applicable nationwide across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that the specified aircraft models comply with safety standards and operational integrity. The regulations do not exclude any entities or individuals within the specified serial number ranges and apply uniformly to all operators and owners of the mentioned Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 – 105, specify the requirements for the airworthiness of certain aircraft models, including Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes. Section (2/75) of the legislative instrument focuses on the elevator control tube inspection directive (AD/PA-31/36) for Piper PA-31 aeroplanes. This directive applies to all models PA-31 and PA-31-300 with specific serial numbers, as well as PA-31-350 models within certain serial number ranges. The directive mandates that these aircraft must comply with Piper Service Bulletin No. 433, which outlines the inspection requirements for the elevator control tube. The compliance period is within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1975.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Aircraft operators must ensure that the elevator control tube of the affected Piper PA-31 models is inspected according to the requirements set forth in Piper Service Bulletin No. 433. This includes conducting a thorough inspection of the control tube within the stipulated timeframe of 100 hours after the specified date. Failure to comply with these inspection requirements can result in serious safety issues and may lead to the aircraft being deemed unairworthy.
In terms of consequences, the Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives in this specific section. However, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in significant civil and criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Civil penalties can include fines up to a substantial amount, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment, reflecting the serious nature of ensuring aircraft safety. Additionally, non-compliance can lead to the grounding of the aircraft, which can have significant operational and financial repercussions for the operators.
The importance of adhering to these directives cannot be overstated, as they are designed to maintain the safety standards of the aircraft. Any deviation from these requirements can not only result in legal repercussions but also endanger the lives of passengers and crew. Therefore, operators must ensure that they are fully aware of and comply with the provisions of this airworthiness directive to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft.