AD/PA-31/85 - Cigar Lighters - Disconnection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, was enacted to provide a comprehensive regulatory framework to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. This legislation, established by the Parliament of Australia, aims to address safety concerns and establish standards to mitigate risks associated with civil aviation operations. One particular aspect of this legislation is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes detailed directives to ensure aircraft safety. AD/PA-31/85, for example, pertains to Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes and specifically mandates the disconnection of certain cigar lighters to prevent electrical fires. This directive was introduced to address the problem of voltage dropping resistors burning during flight, which has caused smoke in the cockpit and posed a safety risk. The policy objective is to enhance aircraft safety by mitigating electrical hazards that could compromise the well-being of passengers and crew. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, through its various directives and requirements, seek to maintain high safety standards in civil aviation. The CASA Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, such as AD/PA-31/85, is instrumental in addressing specific safety concerns by issuing clear and actionable directives. This particular directive mandates the disconnection of certain wires in Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes to prevent electrical fires from cigar lighters, thereby ensuring the continued safety of flight operations. The requirement to disconnect specific wires within a stipulated timeframe highlights the regulatory body’s commitment to proactive safety management.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to airworthiness directives, applies to all aircraft operators who possess Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes within the specified serial number ranges. The regulation mandates compliance for all models PA-31 and PA-31-325 with serial numbers 31-7712074 to 31-7912098 and PA-31-350 with serial numbers 31-7752096 to 31-7952197 that are equipped with three 12-volt cigar lighters powered by a triplet of voltage dropping resistors. The directive requires operators to disconnect specific wires related to the cigar lighters to prevent potential fire hazards. The directive is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, as it falls under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with a requirement to perform the disconnection within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1979.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation, specifically Part 39 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, detail requirements for the disconnection of cigar lighters on certain Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. This regulation is identified as AD/PA-31/85 Cigar Lighters – Disconnection, applicable to specific models and serial numbers of the PA-31 and PA-31-325, as well as the PA-31-350 series. The directive aims to prevent incidents where voltage dropping resistors have caused burning and smoke in the cockpit during flight. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority mandates that the disconnection of specific wires from the circuit breakers must be carried out as follows: for models PA-31 and PA-31-325 with serial numbers ranging from 31-7712074 to 31-7912000, and PA-31-350 with serial numbers from 31-7752096 to 31-7952000, wire CIG-1 must be disconnected from the 7 amp circuit breaker located at the voltage dropping resistor assembly under the instrument panel or wire CIG-1A from the 15 Amp “Heater and Cigar Lighter” circuit breaker on the pilot’s circuit breaker panel. For other models within the specified serial number ranges, wire CIG-1 must be disconnected from the 7 Amp “Lighter” circuit breaker on the pilot’s circuit breaker panel. After disconnection, the wire ends must be insulated and secured. Entities governed by this Act are required to comply with the directive within the next 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1979. This means that the specified modifications must be completed promptly to ensure safety. Failure to comply with these directives may lead to severe operational disruptions and potential safety hazards. In terms of consequences, while the regulation does not explicitly state penalties, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can lead to serious civil or criminal consequences. This may include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach and the impact on aviation safety. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to enforce these regulations and take appropriate action against entities that fail to comply.