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-32/74
Amdt 1
Ammeter Installation 12/86
Applicability: | PA-32-260 | with S/Nos | 32-1 through 32-7800008 |
| PA-32-300 | with S/Nos | 32-40000 through 32-7940290 |
| PA-32R-300 | with S/Nos | 32R-7680001 through 32R-7880068 |
| PA-32RT-300 | with S/Nos | 32R-7885001 through 32R-7985105 |
| PA-32RT-300T | with S/Nos | 32R-7787001 through 32R-7987126 |
| PA-32-301 | with S/Nos | 32-8006001 through 32-8106087 |
| PA-32-301T | with S/Nos | 32-8024001 through 32-8124030 |
| PA-32R-301 | with S/Nos | 32R-8013001 through 32R-8113094 |
| PA-32R-301T | with S/Nos | 32R-8029001 through 32R-8129090 |
Except those aircraft fitted with ninety (90) ampere alternators.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No 811A. Ensure the shunt is positioned and adequately supported to prevent mechanical loads being applied to the 20 gauge wires connected to the ammeter.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 July 1986.
Background: Reports have been received of loose and/or shorting ammeter connections at the ammeter cluster gauge. If this condition is allowed to continue without rectification the possibility exists for electrical failure or a fire within the cockpit. Amendment 1 clarifies the protection requirement.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation and address various issues related to aircraft operations, maintenance, and airworthiness. One such regulation is found in Part 39, which includes specific Airworthiness Directives (AD) to manage the safety of particular aircraft models. For instance, AD/PA-32/74 Amendment 1 pertains to Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes, addressing a critical safety concern involving the ammeter installation. This directive was introduced to rectify a problem where loose or shorting ammeter connections at the ammeter cluster gauge could potentially lead to electrical failures or fires within the cockpit. The objective of this regulation is to ensure compliance with Piper Service Bulletin No 811A by ensuring that the shunt is adequately positioned and supported to prevent mechanical loads on the 20-gauge wires connected to the ammeter. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of the aircraft being in service after 31 July 1986.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, includes a specific Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes. The AD applies to specific serial numbers of these aeroplanes and mandates compliance with Piper Service Bulletin No 811A, ensuring that the shunt is positioned and adequately supported to prevent mechanical loads affecting the 20 gauge wires connected to the ammeter. This directive is essential to mitigate risks of electrical failure or fire in the cockpit, which could arise from loose or shorting ammeter connections. The directive applies to certain models and serial numbers of the Piper PA-32 series, excluding those aircraft fitted with a ninety ampere alternator. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1986. The scope of this legislation is geographically and jurisdictionally within the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, contain numerous detailed directives concerning the airworthiness of aircraft, including those related to the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes. One notable section is AD/PA-32/74 Amendment 1, which addresses the installation of an ammeter in these aircraft. This amendment applies to certain serial numbers of the PA-32 series, excluding those fitted with 90 ampere alternators. The requirement outlined in this directive is to follow Piper Service Bulletin No 811A, which mandates that the shunt be appropriately positioned and supported to prevent mechanical stress on the 20 gauge wires connected to the ammeter. This action is crucial to avoid loose or shorting ammeter connections, which could potentially lead to electrical failures or fires in the cockpit.
Entities governed by these regulations must ensure that the specified action is taken within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1986. This timeframe is critical for compliance and necessitates prompt action to address any pre-existing conditions. Compliance involves adhering strictly to the guidelines provided in the Piper Service Bulletin, which includes ensuring that the ammeter installation does not pose any risk of mechanical stress on the electrical connections. Failure to comply with these directives can result in significant safety hazards, as evidenced by reports of loose and shorting ammeter connections leading to potential electrical failures.
The consequences of non-compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations are severe. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives such as AD/PA-32/74 Amendment 1 can result in penalties and legal action. The regulations are designed to ensure the highest standards of aviation safety, and any breach can lead to civil or criminal penalties. For instance, in the case of non-compliance with these specific directives, the maximum penalty could include fines and other sanctions as stipulated by the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Additionally, failure to adhere to these safety mandates can also lead to the grounding of aircraft, which can have significant operational and financial repercussions for operators.
In summary, AD/PA-32/74 Amendment 1 is a critical directive aimed at ensuring the safety of the Piper PA-32 series aeroplanes by addressing potential electrical hazards associated with the ammeter installation. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved within a specified timeframe to mitigate any risks of electrical failure or fire. Non-compliance not only endangers the safety of passengers and crew but also carries significant legal and financial penalties under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.