AD/PA-32/20 - Seat Frame - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, encompass a wide range of regulations designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. Among these regulations, Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives focuses specifically on the airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The problem or gap addressed by this legislation is to ensure that aircraft are maintained in a safe and airworthy condition, thereby protecting the lives of passengers and crew, as well as the general public. The policy objective is clearly stated as the maintenance of stringent safety standards in civil aviation. One specific legislative instrument under this act is AD/PA-32/20, which pertains to the modification of seat frames in Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to certain models with vertically adjustable pilot and co-pilot seats and mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1971. The aim is to address potential safety issues related to the seat frames, ensuring that these aircraft continue to meet the required safety standards. The regulation is enforced by CASA, which is the relevant authority tasked with overseeing and ensuring compliance with these safety directives.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as outlined in Part 39 - 105, applies to the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes specifically to those models that have vertically adjustable pilot and co-pilot seat installations. This includes all PA-32-260 with serial numbers ranging from 32-1251 to 32-1320 and from 32-7100001 to 32-7100015, and all PA-32-300 with serial numbers ranging from 32-40851 to 32-41018 and from 32-7140001 to 32-7140040. The legislation is a directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is mandatory for compliance, ensuring that the specified aircraft models adhere to the safety modifications required for the seat frames. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1971, as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 337. The scope and application of this legislation are geographically limited to the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all relevant aircraft operating within Australian airspace must meet these airworthiness standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an airworthiness directive for Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes, identified as AD/PA-32/20 (section 5/71). This directive pertains to the modification of the seat frames for certain models with vertically adjustable pilot and co-pilot seats. It applies to all PA-32-260 with serial numbers ranging from 32-1251 to 32-1320 and 32-7100001 to 32-7100015, as well as all PA-32-300 with serial numbers from 32-40851 to 32041018 and 32-7140001 to 32-7140040. Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 100 hours of time in service following 31 May 1971, and it references Piper Service Bulletin No. 337 for detailed instructions. Entities and individuals governed by these regulations are required to ensure that the specified modifications to the seat frames are completed within the prescribed timeframe. This includes verifying that the modifications are performed by certified personnel and that the aircraft is subsequently inspected and certified as compliant with the directive. The responsibility lies with the aircraft owner or operator to ensure that the modifications are carried out and documented properly. Additionally, any aircraft maintenance organisation performing the modifications must adhere to the guidelines set forth in Piper SB No. 337. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive AD/PA-32/20 may result in significant consequences. Non-compliance could lead to the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially resulting in grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are made. Furthermore, there could be civil penalties imposed, including fines or other sanctions as prescribed under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the directive itself, they are likely to be severe enough to ensure adherence to the safety requirements. Additionally, failure to comply with such directives can also have implications for the certification of the aircraft and the liability of the aircraft owner or operator in the event of an incident or accident.