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-32/65 Fuselage Firewall - Modification 3/80
Applicability: All model PA-32RT-300T with S/Nos. as referenced in Piper SB No. 655. Document: Piper SB No. 655.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 November 1979.
Background: The manufacturer has received reports of a small crack developing in the firewall adjacent to the lower forward corner of the forward baggage door.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, was enacted to establish and maintain standards for airworthiness directives in Australia. This regulation was introduced to ensure that aircraft operate with a high degree of safety by mandating specific modifications and compliance checks. This legislative instrument addresses issues such as structural integrity and operational safety by requiring aircraft owners and operators to adhere to directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The objective of this regulation is to mitigate risks associated with known safety issues, as evidenced by the requirement for compliance within 100 hours time in service after 30 November 1979 for the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes, in response to reports of a small crack developing in the firewall adjacent to the lower forward corner of the forward baggage door.
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Australian Parliament to regulate civil aviation safety and ensure that all aircraft meet specific safety standards. The policy objective of this regulation is to protect public safety by mandating compliance with airworthiness directives, which are essential in preventing aircraft accidents and ensuring the safe operation of aircraft. The inclusion of specific directives, such as the one for the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes, demonstrates the regulatory body's commitment to addressing and rectifying known safety issues promptly. This proactive approach is crucial in maintaining the high standards of aviation safety in Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, applies to all model PA-32RT-300T Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series aeroplanes with serial numbers as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 655. This legislation is concerned with ensuring the airworthiness of these specific aircraft by mandating a modification to the fuselage firewall to address a reported issue of small cracks developing near the lower forward corner of the forward baggage door. The regulation requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1979, indicating a clear timeframe within which the modification must be implemented. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) oversees the enforcement of this directive to ensure that all applicable aircraft are modified to maintain safety standards. The scope of this regulation is narrowly focused on the specified model and serial numbers of the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series aeroplanes, and it does not extend to other aircraft models or types.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, address airworthiness directives specifically for the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/PA-32/65, pertains to the modification of the fuselage firewall. This directive applies to all model PA-32RT-300T aeroplanes with serial numbers as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 655 (section 39-105.020). Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1979. This timeframe is critical for ensuring the structural integrity of the aeroplanes and preventing potential hazards.
The directive mandates that all specified Piper PA-32RT-300T aeroplanes must undergo a modification to the firewall to address a small crack that has been developing in the firewall adjacent to the lower forward corner of the forward baggage door (section 39-105.030). This modification is essential to prevent the crack from worsening, which could compromise the aeroplane’s safety and airworthiness. The specific details of the modification are outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 655, which operators and owners must refer to for precise instructions.
Operators and owners of the affected Piper PA-32RT-300T aeroplanes have clear obligations under this directive. They must ensure that the required modifications to the firewall are carried out within the specified timeframe of 100 hours of time in service post 30 November 1979. This involves conducting a thorough inspection of the firewall area and implementing the necessary repairs or alterations as detailed in Piper SB No. 655. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in the aeroplane being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential grounding and further regulatory action.
In the event of non-compliance with the airworthiness directive, there are significant consequences that may apply. Operators and owners who fail to adhere to the specified compliance timeframe and modify the firewall as required may face enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Potential penalties can include fines, enforcement notices, or even the suspension or revocation of the aeroplane’s airworthiness certificate. The severity of the penalties is determined by the nature and extent of the non-compliance, with the potential for maximum penalties as prescribed by the Civil Aviation Regulations. It is imperative for operators and owners to take this directive seriously to avoid any legal or safety repercussions.