COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-34/12 Nose Gear Drag Link Assembly - Inspection 6/74
Applicability: Model PA-34-200 with S/Nos. 34-7250001 to 34-7250360, 34-7350001 to 34-7350353 and 34-7450001 to 34-7450082.
Document: Piper SB No. 413.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 28 June 1974.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, form a crucial part of the legislative framework governing aviation safety across the nation. Among the various parts, Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives specifically addresses the safety and operational standards of aircraft through detailed directives. This legislative instrument targets the Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes, aiming to mitigate potential safety risks by issuing specific directives such as AD/PA-34/12. This directive mandates a thorough inspection of the nose gear drag link assembly for certain model numbers within specified serial ranges, ensuring that these aircraft meet necessary safety standards. The policy objective is to enhance the overall safety of civil aviation by proactively addressing potential issues through regulatory oversight and mandatory compliance measures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to the Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes, more precisely to those with specific serial numbers as outlined in AD/PA-34/12. This regulation is applicable to the nose gear drag link assembly and mandates a compliance inspection for aircraft within the specified serial number ranges. The directive applies to any person or entity operating a Piper PA-34-200 within the serial number ranges 34-7250001 to 34-7250360, 34-7350001 to 34-7350353, and 34-7450001 to 34-7450082. Compliance with this airworthiness directive is mandatory within 100 hours of time in service after 28 June 1974, as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 413. The directive is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, reflecting CASA's jurisdiction over civil aviation safety standards. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within this specific directive, meaning all eligible aircraft must adhere to the inspection requirements. The scope of this legislation is limited to the specified models and serial numbers of the Piper PA-34 series aeroplanes, and no subordinate instruments extend or restrict the application of this particular directive.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically address the safety requirements for civil aircraft, including the Piper PA-34 (Seneca) series aeroplanes. One such Airworthiness Directive (AD) is AD/PA-34/12, which pertains to the nose gear drag link assembly inspection (Section 105). This directive applies to specific serial number ranges of the PA-34-200 model, namely 34-7250001 to 34-7250360, 34-7350001 to 34-7350353, and 34-7450001 to 34-7450082 (Section 6/74). Compliance with this directive necessitates an inspection of the nose gear drag link assembly within 100 hours of time in service after 28 June 1974, as documented in Piper Service Bulletin No. 413 (Section 6/74).
The AD imposes clear obligations on the owners and operators of the specified Piper PA-34-200 aeroplanes. They must ensure that the nose gear drag link assembly is inspected as per the directive within the specified timeframe. This requirement aims to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft by identifying and rectifying any issues with the nose gear drag link assembly to prevent potential safety hazards (Section 6/74). Compliance must be evidenced through appropriate records and documentation, which must be maintained and made available for inspection by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) upon request (Section 105).
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/PA-34/12 can lead to significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide for both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Civil penalties can include fines, while criminal penalties may include imprisonment. The maximum penalties vary depending on the severity of the breach and the impact on safety. Specifically, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in fines of up to $216,000 for individuals and $1,080,000 for corporations, with additional penalties for aggravated breaches. In the most severe cases, individuals may face imprisonment for up to two years (Section 105). Ensuring adherence to these directives is crucial to avoid such severe repercussions and to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety.