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-31/77
Amdt 1
Fuel Crossfeed Valve - Inspection 9/79
Applicability: Models PA-31, PA-31-300 and PA-31-325 with S/Nos. 31-2 to 31-7812108, 31- 7812116, 31-7812120 to 31-7812123 and 31-7812125. Model PA-31-350 with S/Nos.
31-5001 to 31-7852138, 31-7852140 to 31-7852193.
Document: Piper SB No. 645A.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 September 1979.
Background: A number of crossfeed valve actuating arms may have been attached to the valve with aluminium rivets instead of steel rivets. Shearing of the softer rivets would result in loss of crossfeed capability.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative instrument F2006B05782, introduced an Airworthiness Directive aimed at addressing specific safety concerns associated with the Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this directive is a part of the broader regulatory framework managed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The primary problem it addresses is the potential risk of loss of crossfeed capability due to the improper attachment of crossfeed valve actuating arms, which may have been fastened with aluminium rivets instead of the required steel rivets. The directive mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service following the issuance date of 30 September 1979, as detailed in Piper Service Bulletin No. 645A, to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft models. The policy objective underpinning this regulation is to mitigate safety risks by enforcing stringent inspection and corrective measures for identified issues in the specified aircraft models.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, applies to all entities and individuals involved in the operation, maintenance, and certification of aircraft within Australian airspace. This includes aircraft manufacturers, operators, maintenance providers, and pilots. Specifically, the legislation mandates compliance with Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of aircraft. AD/PA-31/77 Amendment 1 pertains to Piper PA-31 Series aeroplanes, including models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350, with specified serial numbers. The directive requires an inspection of the fuel crossfeed valve within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1979 to address potential issues with crossfeed valve actuating arms that may have been improperly attached with aluminium rivets instead of steel rivets. Failure to comply with these directives may result in the aircraft being considered unairworthy. The scope of this legislation extends to all relevant aircraft operating within Australia, and it is enforceable by CASA through compliance checks and potential enforcement actions against non-compliance.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, impose specific requirements for ensuring the airworthiness of certain aircraft models, including the Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes. Section 39.105(1) mandates that the applicable models, namely the PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350, must comply with the Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive AD/PA-31/77 Amendment 1, dated 9/79, specifically addresses the inspection of the fuel crossfeed valve. This directive applies to specific serial numbers within these models, as outlined in the legislation.
The obligations under this directive require operators and owners of the affected Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes to ensure that the crossfeed valve actuating arms are correctly installed with steel rivets. If the arms are found to be attached with aluminium rivets, they must be replaced to prevent potential failure due to the softer material. The compliance requirement states that this inspection must be performed within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1979, ensuring that the aircraft remains airworthy and compliant with safety standards. The directive is supported by Piper Service Bulletin No. 645A, which provides detailed instructions for the necessary inspections and replacements.
Failure to comply with the AD/PA-31/77 Amendment 1 could result in serious safety implications, such as the loss of crossfeed capability, which could compromise the aircraft's ability to operate safely. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance within this directive; however, general provisions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 could apply. Non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential criminal charges if the breach results in a safety incident. The severity of the penalties can vary, but they are intended to ensure strict adherence to airworthiness standards to protect public safety.