AD/PA-32/23 - Front Seat Restraint Installations - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, serve to regulate civil aviation safety within the country. Among various amendments and updates, Part 39 - 105, specifically concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses safety concerns for particular aircraft models. This legislative instrument, identified as F2006B05817, focuses on Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes. It was introduced to address the gap in safety provisions for front seat restraint installations, aiming to enhance the safety of pilots and passengers by mandating the installation of approved safety harnesses. The policy objective is to ensure compliance with safety standards, thereby reducing the risk of injury or fatalities during flight operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses the modification of front seat restraint installations for Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all models within the specified series of aircraft and mandates that each front seat restraint installation must be modified by fitting a safety harness. The safety harness must adhere to a scheme that has been approved by the Secretary, ensuring that the modifications meet the necessary safety standards. The directive requires compliance by 1 September 1972, marking a specific deadline for all affected aircraft to be updated accordingly. The application of this regulation is nationwide, extending across the Commonwealth of Australia, and it applies to all persons and entities involved in the operation and maintenance of the specified aircraft series, ensuring uniformity in safety standards across the industry.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39, Section 105, includes a specific Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes. This directive, known as AD/PA-32/23, mandates modifications to the front seat restraint installations. According to this directive, each front seat restraint installation must be modified by fitting a safety harness, and this modification must adhere to a scheme approved by the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport. This requirement applies to all models of the Piper PA-32 series aeroplanes. The obligations under this directive are quite specific and clear. Owners and operators of Piper PA-32 series aeroplanes must ensure that the front seat restraint installations are modified as specified in the AD. This involves fitting a safety harness that meets the criteria set out in the approved scheme. The modifications must be completed and the aeroplanes must be compliant with these requirements before 1 September 1972. Failure to comply with this directive can have significant implications, as outlined in the regulations. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 also include provisions for offences and penalties for non-compliance with the AD. While the specific maximum penalties are not detailed in this particular extract, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can generally result in severe consequences. This may include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, and potential legal action against the operator or owner of the aircraft. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the requirements set out in the AD. In summary, the AD/PA-32/23 directive under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 mandates specific modifications to the front seat restraint installations of all Piper PA-32 series aeroplanes. These modifications must be carried out in accordance with an approved scheme and completed before 1 September 1972. Non-compliance with this directive can lead to significant legal and financial repercussions, including the potential suspension or revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate. Therefore, it is imperative that all parties governed by this directive ensure strict adherence to the specified requirements.