COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-32/10 Fuel System Improvements - Modification 12/67
Applicability: Model PA-32-260 with S/Nos. 32-1 to 32-14, 32-16 to 32-853; Model PA-32-300
with S/Nos. 32-15 and 32-40001 to 32-40153.
Document: 1. Piper SB Nos. 249 and 253; or
2. FAA AD 67-26-2.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 22 February 1968.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. One specific aspect of these regulations is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address potential safety issues with specific aircraft models. The Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes AD/PA-32/10 is one such directive, introduced to mitigate risks associated with fuel system failures in certain Piper PA-32 aircraft models. The directive mandates modifications to the fuel system to ensure compliance within a specified timeframe after a certain date, aiming to prevent potential safety hazards arising from fuel system failures. This AD reflects the Commonwealth's commitment to maintaining stringent safety standards in civil aviation, ensuring that aircraft meet necessary safety criteria to protect passengers and crew.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the application of airworthiness directives for various aircraft, including the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This legislation applies to specific models and serial numbers of the Piper PA-32, namely Model PA-32-260 with serial numbers 32-1 to 32-14 and 32-16 to 32-853, and Model PA-32-300 with serial numbers 32-15 and 32-40001 to 32-40153. The regulations mandate compliance with modifications to the fuel system within 100 hours of time in service after 22 February 1968, as specified in Piper Service Bulletins Nos. 249 and 253, or FAA Airworthiness Directive 67-26-2. The scope of these regulations is national, extending across all jurisdictions within the Commonwealth of Australia, and applies to both individual and corporate aircraft operators. The regulations do not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the outlined applicability and compliance requirements. The application and enforcement of these directives may be further detailed or extended through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in PART 39 - 105 (1), mandate that certain modifications be made to the fuel system of Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes. This applies to models PA-32-260 with serial numbers 32-1 to 32-14, 32-16 to 32-853, and model PA-32-300 with serial numbers 32-15 and 32-40001 to 32-40153. These modifications must be carried out within 100 hours of the aeroplane's time in service after 22 February 1968. The compliance documents required are either Piper Service Bulletin (SB) Nos. 249 and 253, or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Directive (AD) 67-26-2.
The obligations imposed on the owners and operators of these aeroplanes include ensuring that the required modifications are made in accordance with the referenced documents. This involves either following the detailed procedures outlined in Piper's Service Bulletins, or adhering to the FAA's specified Airworthiness Directive. Failure to comply with these directives can result in the aeroplane being deemed unairworthy. Owners and operators must ensure that all modifications are completed by a certified repair facility or a licensed aircraft mechanic, and that the aeroplane is inspected and signed off as compliant by an authorised person.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this directive can lead to significant legal consequences. Under Section 35A (1) of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, operators who fail to comply with the Civil Aviation Regulations can be subject to both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties can include fines of up to $126,000 for a corporation and $25,200 for an individual, as outlined in Section 35A (2). Criminal penalties can include imprisonment for up to 5 years, as stipulated in Section 35A (3). Furthermore, an aeroplane that is found to be non-compliant can be grounded, preventing it from operating until the necessary modifications are completed and certified as satisfactory.