AD/PA-32/66 - Window Curtain Rod Support Area - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, is an extensive body of law that governs civil aviation operations within Australia. Part 39 of these Regulations, specifically pertaining to Airworthiness Directives, was introduced to ensure the safe operation of aircraft by issuing mandatory safety instructions to aircraft owners and operators. One such Airworthiness Directive, AD/PA-32/66, was established to address a specific safety issue with Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes. This directive mandates an inspection of the window curtain rod support area to prevent potential damage to the fuselage longerons, a problem identified during the manufacturing process. The directive applies to all models PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300 and PA-32RT-300T with serial numbers referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 656, requiring compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1979. The policy objective of this directive is to maintain the structural integrity of the aircraft, thereby ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew on board.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all models of Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes, including PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300, and PA-32RT-300T with specific serial numbers referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 656. The regulations mandate an inspection of the window curtain rod support area to address potential damage to the fuselage longerons at the lower window line, which may have occurred during the aeroplane's manufacture. This directive is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring consistent safety standards are enforced nationally. Compliance with these regulations requires that the inspection be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1979. While the regulations themselves set forth the requirements, their implementation and enforcement are overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, provide detailed guidance on airworthiness directives for various aircraft models. In the case of Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes, the legislation mandates a specific inspection of the window curtain rod support area (AD/PA-32/66). This directive applies to all models PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300, and PA-32RT-300T with serial numbers referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 656. The requirement to comply with these airworthiness directives is crucial for ensuring the structural integrity and safety of these aircraft. The regulations stipulate that compliance with these airworthiness directives must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1979. This means that any aircraft fitting the specified criteria must undergo an inspection of the window curtain rod support area to check for potential damage to the fuselage longerons, which may have occurred during the manufacturing process when installing the window curtain rods. Failure to adhere to these requirements could result in the aircraft not being considered airworthy, potentially leading to operational restrictions or prohibitions. Operators and owners of the affected Piper PA-32 aircraft models must ensure that these inspections are conducted by appropriately certified personnel. The regulations impose a responsibility on these parties to maintain detailed records of all inspections and any subsequent repairs or modifications made to the aircraft as a result of the findings from these inspections. This documentation is essential for compliance with the airworthiness directives and may be required for verification by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Breaches of the airworthiness directives can lead to significant legal and operational consequences. The regulations outline various penalties and consequences for non-compliance, which can include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, and even criminal charges in severe cases. The maximum penalties for such breaches can be substantial, reflecting the critical nature of maintaining airworthiness standards to ensure the safety of all persons on board and on the ground. Ensuring adherence to these directives is therefore not only a legal obligation but also a fundamental safety requirement.