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-32/81
Amdt 1
Engine Oil Cooler Hoses 4/97
Applicability: All Piper PA-32-series aircraft not incorporating oil cooler hoses to TSO C53a, Type D, standards.
Requirement: 1. To preclude the loss of engine oil contents due to an oil cooler hose rupture:
Inspect oil cooler hoses for signs of heat damage, oil contamination, brittleness, general condition, and proper installation.
For forward mounted oil coolers, ensure the minimum clearance of any hose from the nearest exhaust component is not less than 50mm (2ins). (See Figure 1).
Ensure the bend radii of the oil cooler hose assemblies is consistent with the aircraft manufacturer’s requirements.
2. Replace each oil cooler hose assembly.
Incorporation of hoses compliant with TSO C53a, Type D, is terminating action for this Directive.
Note 1: Hoses assemblies compliant with TSO C53a, Type D, must have the TSO specification number clearly marked on the hose identification band.
Note 2: When installing hoses complying with TSO C53a, Type D, ensure the bend radius is in accordance with the hose manufacturer’s requirements.
Compliance: 1. Unless previously accomplished, carry out an initial inspection within 25 hours time in service from an effective date of 27 March 1997. Thereafter, re-inspect at each re-issue of the maintenance release.
2. No later than 8 years or 1000 hours time in service since last replacement, whichever occurs first.
For affected hose assemblies that already exceed 1000 hours time in service since new or last replacement, replace within 200 hours from an effective date of 27 March 1997.
Note : FAA AD 95-26-13 Amdt 39-9472 refers.
This Amendment becomes effective on 27 March 1997.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Background: This Directive mandates oil cooler hose inspection/replacement on Piper PA 28 and 32 series aircraft in response to numerous reports of oil cooler hose rupture/failures.
Amendment 1 has been raised to clarify the inspection requirements.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 5 December 1996.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve to regulate civil aviation within Australia. Among its provisions, Part 39 - 105 includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, designed to address specific safety issues in aircraft operations. One such directive, AD/PA-32/81 Amdt 1, pertains to Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) series aeroplanes and was introduced to mitigate the risk of engine oil cooler hose failures. This directive was necessitated by multiple incidents where oil cooler hoses ruptured, leading to potential engine oil loss and associated hazards. The policy objective is to ensure the safety of flight operations by mandating regular inspections and, where necessary, replacement of oil cooler hoses to prevent such failures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105 applies to all Piper PA-32-series aircraft, specifically those that do not incorporate oil cooler hoses to TSO C53a, Type D, standards. This regulation is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and has a national reach throughout Australia. The legislation mandates an inspection and potential replacement of oil cooler hoses to prevent the loss of engine oil due to rupture, ensuring the safety of the aircraft. The requirement includes a detailed inspection for signs of heat damage, oil contamination, brittleness, general condition, and proper installation, with specific focus on the clearance and bend radii of the hoses. The compliance stipulates an initial inspection within 25 hours from the effective date of 27 March 1997, and subsequent re-inspections at each re-issue of the maintenance release. Hoses must be replaced no later than 8 years or 1000 hours since last replacement, with immediate replacement for those exceeding 1000 hours. The directive includes references to FAA AD 95-26-13 Amdt 39-9472 for additional guidance.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in PART 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes provisions concerning the Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes. The key operative sections of this legislation pertain to the inspection and replacement of engine oil cooler hoses, as outlined in AD/PA-32/81 Amendment 1. Section 1 of this directive requires the inspection of oil cooler hoses for any signs of damage, contamination, brittleness, or improper installation, with particular attention to the clearance from exhaust components and the bend radii of the hose assemblies (Section 1(1)). Furthermore, it mandates the replacement of all oil cooler hose assemblies, with compliance being the incorporation of hoses that meet TSO C53a, Type D, standards (Section 1(2)).
The obligations imposed by this Act on the relevant parties, primarily aircraft operators and maintenance personnel, include conducting initial inspections within 25 hours of the directive's effective date and subsequent inspections at each maintenance release (Section 2(1)). Operators must ensure that any oil cooler hoses already exceeding 1000 hours since their last replacement or since being new are replaced within 200 hours from the directive's effective date (Section 2(2)). Furthermore, any new hose assemblies must comply with the manufacturer’s bend radius requirements and have the TSO specification number clearly marked on the identification band (Section 1(2)(Note 2)).
Failure to comply with these provisions can lead to serious safety hazards, including the potential loss of engine oil, which could result in engine failure. Civil and criminal consequences for non-compliance may include significant fines, with the exact penalties being determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, the seriousness of potential airworthiness breaches suggests that penalties could be substantial, reflecting the critical nature of maintaining engine oil cooler hose integrity for flight safety.