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-34/17 Fuel Quantity Placard - Replacement 11/75
Applicability: Model PA34-200 with S/Nos. 34-7250001 to 34-7450220. Model PA34-200T with S/Nos. 34-7570001 to 34-7570308.
Document: Piper SB No. 438.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 28 November 1975.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B05888, are designed to enhance safety in the Australian aviation sector by addressing specific operational and maintenance issues. This particular legislative instrument pertains to the Piper PA-34 (Seneca) series aeroplanes and targets a critical issue related to the fuel quantity placard. By mandating the replacement of the fuel quantity placard for certain model series within specified serial number ranges, the regulation aims to ensure that pilots have accurate and clear information regarding fuel levels, thus mitigating the risk of operational errors due to incorrect fuel readings. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, the policy objective of these regulations is to maintain and improve the safety standards in civil aviation, thereby protecting the public and ensuring the efficient operation of aircraft within Australian airspace.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, pertain to all entities and individuals involved in civil aviation activities within Australia, including aircraft manufacturers, operators, pilots, and maintenance personnel. Specifically, AD/PA-34/17 applies to Piper PA-34 (Seneca) series aeroplanes, namely models PA34-200 and PA34-200T, within the specified serial number ranges. This legislation mandates compliance with the requirements outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 438, focusing on the replacement of fuel quantity placards, within 100 hours of time in service after 28 November 1975. The regulation ensures that these aircraft maintain airworthiness standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The scope of the legislation extends nationally, enforcing compliance across all states and territories within Australia. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the parameters of this directive, and the application is specific to the identified aircraft models and serial numbers. The regulations may be extended or further specified through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) under PART 39 - 105 (section 39.105) specifically address airworthiness directives concerning Piper PA-34 (Seneca) series aeroplanes, particularly focusing on fuel quantity placard replacement in section AD/PA-34/17. This section mandates the replacement of the fuel quantity placard in specified models of the Piper PA-34 series aeroplanes. Specifically, it applies to Model PA34-200 with serial numbers ranging from 34-7250001 to 34-7450220 and Model PA34-200T with serial numbers from 34-7570001 to 34-7570308. This requirement must be met within 100 hours of the aeroplanes' time in service following 28 November 1975, as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 438.
The obligations imposed by this regulation are clear and specific. Operators of the affected Piper PA-34 aeroplanes must ensure that the fuel quantity placard is replaced in accordance with the specified timeframes and models. The replacement of the placard is a critical safety measure, ensuring that pilots have accurate information regarding fuel levels, which is essential for safe flight operations. Failure to comply with this directive could result in significant safety risks, thereby impacting the overall airworthiness of the aircraft.
Violating the requirements set forth in section AD/PA-34/17 can lead to severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Such violations may result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civilly, operators may face fines, and criminally, individuals responsible for the oversight of the aircraft could be prosecuted. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the breach and may include fines up to certain statutory maximums, as well as potential imprisonment for those found guilty of criminal negligence. The regulatory framework aims to ensure that all parties adhere strictly to these safety requirements to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety.