AD/PA-32/36 - Fuel Valve - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation by setting standards for aircraft operations, maintenance, and airworthiness. One such regulation, AD/PA-32/36, addresses a specific safety concern regarding the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to mitigate risks associated with fuel valve failures, which could potentially compromise the safety of the aircraft. The regulation mandates the replacement of the fuel valve on specific models of the Piper PA-32 series within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1975, as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 444. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring that these aircraft meet specific airworthiness standards and are maintained in a safe condition.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the application of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of aircraft in Australian airspace. The legislation applies to specific models of Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series aeroplanes, namely the PA-32-260 with serial numbers ranging from 32-7400050 to 32-7500003, and the PA-32-300 with serial numbers from 32-7440161 to 32-7540029. The directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1975, with reference to Piper Service Bulletin No. 444, which mandates the replacement of the fuel valve. The regulation's jurisdictional reach is comprehensive, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia and overseen by CASA. There are no exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds specified within the directive itself; however, the regulations may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD) for the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes, particularly focusing on fuel valve replacement (AD/PA-32/36). The directive mandates the replacement of fuel valves in certain model series of the Piper PA-32, namely the PA-32-260 with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 32-7400050 to 32-7500003 and the PA-32-300 with S/Nos. ranging from 32-7440161 to 32-7540029. This replacement must be carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1975, as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 444. These sections impose obligations on aircraft owners and operators to ensure compliance with the specified airworthiness directive. Specifically, they must ensure that the required fuel valve replacement is performed by a certified technician or maintenance provider within the stipulated timeframe. This involves documenting the replacement in the aircraft’s maintenance records, ensuring that all modifications comply with the manufacturer’s specifications and CASA requirements. Failure to comply with these directives can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding and other enforcement actions by CASA. Breaching the requirements outlined in the airworthiness directive can lead to significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with ADs is an offence, which can result in penalties. For corporations, the maximum penalty can be up to $1,650,000, while for individuals, the penalty can be up to $330,000. In addition to financial penalties, CASA may take enforcement actions such as suspending or revoking an aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness, which would render the aircraft unable to legally operate until the required maintenance is completed and approved. Such actions can also lead to additional administrative and legal costs for the non-compliant party.