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-32/8
Amdt 1
Engine Air Inlet Duct - Inspection 12/67
Applicability: Model PA32-300 with S/Nos. 32-15, 32-40000 to 32-40399 which have not been modified in accordance with Piper SB No. 260.
Requirement: 1. Inspect the flexible duct Piper P/N 457599 between the engine air box and engine throttle body assembly for loose and/or collapsed wire reinforcing coils inside the duct. Each end of the reinforcing wire must be secured under th duct end clamps.
2. If loose and/or collapsed wire reinforcing coils are found, remove the duct from service and install a modified duct in accordance with Piper SB No. 260.
Note: Inspection may be accomplished by removal of the entire engine cowling and the intake air hose cover P/No. 68047.
Compliance: Within 10 hours time in service after 8 November 1967 and there- after at intervals not exceeding 50 hours time in service.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. This piece of legislation, particularly the amendment AD/PA-32/8, was introduced to address specific safety concerns associated with the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes, particularly model PA32-300 with serial numbers ranging from 32-15 to 32-40399. The primary objective of this amendment is to mandate regular inspections of the engine air inlet duct to prevent potential safety hazards arising from loose or collapsed wire reinforcing coils within the duct. Compliance with these inspection requirements is essential to ensure the airworthiness of the specified aircraft models, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically targeting the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes. This directive, AD/PA-32/8 Amendment 1, applies to model PA32-300 aeroplanes with specific serial numbers ranging from 32-15 and 32-40000 to 32-40399, provided they have not been modified in line with Piper Service Bulletin No. 260. The directive mandates a thorough inspection of the flexible duct, identified as P/N 457599, situated between the engine air box and the engine throttle body assembly. This inspection must ascertain the integrity of the wire reinforcing coils within the duct, ensuring they are not loose or collapsed and are secured under the duct end clamps at both ends. If any defects are identified, the duct must be removed from service and replaced with a modified duct as specified in Piper SB No. 260. The inspection is to be conducted within 10 hours of time in service following 8 November 1967, and subsequently, the inspection must occur at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service. The directive’s geographic and jurisdictional reach is national, applying across Australia in compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, overseen by CASA.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the AD/PA-32/8 Amendment 1 (section 1) detail the requirements for inspecting the engine air inlet duct on specific Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series aeroplanes. This inspection is mandatory for aircraft with serial numbers 32-15 and 32-40000 to 32-40399 that have not been modified according to Piper Service Bulletin No. 260. The directive mandates a thorough inspection of the flexible duct, identified by Piper Part Number 457599, which connects the engine air box to the engine throttle body assembly. The inspection must ensure that the wire reinforcing coils inside the duct are neither loose nor collapsed, with each end of the reinforcing wire securely fastened under the duct end clamps (section 1). If any issues with the wire reinforcing coils are found during the inspection, the duct must be removed from service and replaced with a modified duct as per Piper Service Bulletin No. 260 (section 1).
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose several obligations on the operators of the specified Piper PA-32 aeroplanes. Operators must ensure that the required inspection of the engine air inlet duct is conducted within 10 hours of the aircraft being in service after 8 November 1967, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of service (section 1). The inspection must be performed by qualified personnel who are knowledgeable about the specific requirements and procedures outlined in the directive. Operators are also required to maintain accurate records of all inspections and any corrective actions taken, including the replacement of the duct if necessary.
Failure to comply with the AD/PA-32/8 Amendment 1 could lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may impose penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives, which could include fines and other administrative actions. In severe cases, CASA may take enforcement actions such as grounding the aircraft until the required inspections and repairs are completed. Additionally, operators who fail to adhere to these requirements may face legal action, which could result in criminal charges and associated penalties if the non-compliance leads to safety incidents or accidents. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the directive but may include fines and potential imprisonment under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety.