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-31/61 Elevator Bell Crank and Control Rod - Inspection 1/78
Applicability: All models PA-31, PA-31-300 and PA-31-325 with S/Nos. 31-2 to 31-7712034. All model PA-31-350 with S/Nos. 31-5001 to 31-7752059; All model PA-31P with S/Nos. 31P-1 to 31P-7730003, and All model PA-31T with S/Nos. 31T-7400002 to 31T-7720017.
Document: Piper SL No. 789.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 January 1978 and there- after at intervals not exceeding 3 years.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, introduced a series of measures aimed at ensuring the safety and reliability of civil aviation operations within Australia. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, these regulations are intended to address issues related to aircraft maintenance and operational safety, ensuring that all aircraft meet the required safety standards. One such measure, AD/PA-31/61, focuses on the Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes, requiring mandatory inspections of the elevator bell crank and control rod to prevent potential safety hazards. This directive was introduced to ensure that the specified models of Piper PA-31 aeroplanes comply with safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation.
The policy objective behind these regulations is to maintain and improve the safety of civil aviation by imposing stringent requirements on aircraft maintenance and operational procedures. The regulations mandate that specific Piper PA-31 models undergo regular inspections of their elevator bell crank and control rod within 100 hours of service after 31 January 1978 and at intervals not exceeding three years thereafter. This approach is designed to proactively identify and rectify any issues that could compromise the aircraft's safety, ultimately contributing to a safer civil aviation environment.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, outlines the requirements for airworthiness directives, including AD/PA-31/61, which mandates the inspection of elevator bell crank and control rods for certain Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all models of Piper PA-31, namely the PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-31P, and PA-31T, with serial numbers falling within the specified ranges. The regulatory authority, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, imposes a compliance requirement for these inspections to be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 31 January 1978, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding three years. The legislation is applicable nationally, as it is a Commonwealth regulation, ensuring a consistent standard across all states and territories. The scope of this directive does not extend to aircraft outside the specified models and serial number ranges, and no exclusions or exemptions are explicitly mentioned within the text. The implementation and enforcement of this directive may be further detailed through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically focusing on AD/PA-31/61, mandate a thorough inspection of the elevator bell crank and control rod for Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes (section 1/78). This applies to all models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-31P, and PA-31T within specified serial number ranges. The directive requires compliance with Piper Service Letter No. 789, and mandates inspections within 100 hours of time in service after 31 January 1978, followed by inspections at intervals not exceeding three years thereafter.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the operators and owners of the Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes. They must ensure that the elevator bell crank and control rod inspections are conducted as per the directive. This includes adhering to the timeframes stipulated for initial and subsequent inspections. Operators must also maintain records of these inspections and ensure that the aircraft remain airworthy by complying with the requirements set out in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) directives.
Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/PA-31/61 could result in significant consequences. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives is a serious matter under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Penalties for breaches can include substantial fines and potential criminal charges for individuals responsible for the oversight of the aircraft. Additionally, the aircraft may be grounded if it is found not to comply with the necessary safety standards, leading to operational disruptions and financial losses for the operators. The exact penalties are determined by the severity of the breach and the discretion of the court or regulatory authority.