AD/PA-31/60 Amdt 1 - Flap Solenoid - Repositioning

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, form part of a comprehensive legislative framework designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, these regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and are integral to addressing safety concerns and maintaining high standards within the aviation industry. One specific aspect of this legislation is the Airworthiness Directives, which target safety issues through mandatory compliance actions. For instance, AD/PA-31/60 Amendment 1, issued under Part 39 of the Civil Aviation Regulations, addresses a critical safety issue concerning the flap solenoid of Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. The directive was introduced to mitigate potential risks associated with the solenoid's positioning, ensuring that specific models meet essential safety criteria. This directive underscores the policy objective of continuously improving aviation safety by enforcing timely and necessary modifications on affected aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, mandate the compliance of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/PA-31/60 Amendment 1 concerning the repositioning of flap solenoids for Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. This regulation applies to the specific models PA31, PA31-300, and PA31-325 with serial numbers ranging from 31-2 to 31-771205, as well as PA31-350 models with serial numbers from 31-5001 to 31-7752092, provided they have not been modified in accordance with Piper Service Letter No. 834. The directive is issued in compliance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 567, requiring immediate action. The regulation enforces compliance with specified technical standards to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft, thereby upholding safety standards within the Commonwealth of Australia's jurisdiction. The scope of this directive extends to ensuring that the specified modifications are implemented by the relevant entities to maintain the operational safety and certification of these aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically address the safety directives for Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. Section 39-105 (AD/PA-31/60) pertains to the repositioning of the flap solenoid, as detailed in Amendment 1 from April 1979. This directive applies to models PA31, PA31-300, and PA31-325 with serial numbers ranging from 31-2 to 31-771205 and PA31-350 with serial numbers from 31-5001 to 31-7752092, provided these aircraft have not been modified according to Piper Service Letter No. 834. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved forthwith, as indicated in Piper Service Bulletin No. 567. This regulation imposes several obligations on the entities governed by it. Firstly, aircraft owners and operators must ensure that the specified models of Piper PA-31 aeroplanes are inspected to confirm their applicability to the directive. If applicable, they must reposition the flap solenoid in accordance with the guidelines provided in Piper Service Bulletin No. 567. Additionally, they must maintain accurate records of any modifications made to comply with this directive, ensuring traceability and accountability. Failure to comply with the provisions of Section 39-105 can result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may impose penalties for non-compliance, which could include fines or other civil sanctions. In severe cases, CASA might also suspend or revoke the aircraft’s airworthiness certificate, which could lead to the grounding of the aircraft until the necessary modifications are made and compliance is verified. Additionally, operators may face criminal charges if their non-compliance is found to have contributed to an aviation accident or incident, potentially leading to imprisonment or more substantial fines.