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-32/4
Amdt 1
Fuel Tanks - Inspection 11/67
Applicability: All model PA32-260 with S/Nos. 32-04 and 32-17 to 32-861; Models PA32-300 and PA32S-300, with S/N 32-15 and 32-40000 to 32-40239.
Document: Piper SB No. 251.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, perform initial inspection within the next 100 hours time in service after 6 October 1967. Repeat inspection within the next 100 hours time in service except that these inspections may be discontinued under conditions specified in Piper SB No. 251.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, are a comprehensive set of regulations designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. One part of this regulatory framework is Part 39 - 105, which includes airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This specific legislation, known as AD/PA-32/4 Amendment 1, targets Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes, specifically addressing the inspection of fuel tanks. The directive was introduced to address potential safety issues related to the integrity and operation of the fuel tanks on these aircraft models. The policy objective is to ensure that these aircraft meet the required safety standards by mandating regular inspections of the fuel tanks to prevent any potential hazards that could compromise flight safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), mandate airworthiness directives for certain aircraft, including the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all model PA32-260 with serial numbers ranging from 32-04 to 32-17 to 32-861, as well as models PA32-300 and PA32S-300, with serial numbers 32-15 and 32-40000 to 32-40239. The directive pertains to the inspection of fuel tanks to ensure compliance with safety standards, as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 251. The initial inspection must be completed within the next 100 hours of time in service following 6 October 1967, with subsequent inspections required every 100 hours of time in service, unless specific conditions permit discontinuation as detailed in Piper SB No. 251. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, applying across all states and territories of Australia, ensuring consistent safety standards are met by the specified aircraft models.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, establish a schedule of airworthiness directives for various aircraft, including the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes. Specifically, AD/PA-32/4 Amendment 1 mandates inspections of the fuel tanks for these aircraft (s. 11/67). This directive applies to all model PA32-260 aircraft with serial numbers (S/Nos.) between 32-04 and 32-17 to 32-861, as well as to models PA32-300 and PA32S-300 with S/Ns from 32-15 and 32-40000 to 32-40239. The document referenced is Piper Service Bulletin No. 251.
The regulations impose specific obligations on the owners and operators of the affected Piper PA-32 aircraft. They must ensure that an initial inspection of the fuel tanks is conducted within the next 100 hours of time in service following 6 October 1967. Subsequent inspections are required within every 100 hours of time in service thereafter. These inspections are crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and must be carried out in accordance with the conditions specified in Piper Service Bulletin No. 251.
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance may be considered an offence, and the penalties can include substantial fines and imprisonment for individuals, as well as fines for corporations. The specific maximum penalties are not detailed within the airworthiness directive itself but are governed by the broader civil aviation legislation, which includes fines up to $210,000 for individuals and $1,050,000 for corporations, alongside potential imprisonment terms for serious offences. Additionally, non-compliance can lead to the grounding of the aircraft, which would prevent it from operating until the required inspections are satisfactorily completed.