AD/PA-34/23 - Induction, Air Box, Filter Locator Clips - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which include the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, to ensure the safe operation of civil aircraft in Australia. Specifically, AD/PA-34/23 addresses a critical safety issue concerning the Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series aeroplanes, mandating the replacement of induction, air box, and filter locator clips for models PA-34-200T with serial numbers 34-7570001 to 34-7770049. The directive aims to mitigate potential risks associated with these components, ensuring that aircraft maintain their airworthiness and operational safety standards. This legislative instrument, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, underscores the commitment to maintaining stringent safety protocols in civil aviation and was developed in response to identified hazards and operational concerns related to specific aircraft components.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as outlined in PART 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, specifically addresses the Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes through AD/PA-34/23. This directive applies to the particular models of PA-34-200T aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 34-7570001 to 34-7770049. The directive mandates the replacement of induction, air box, and filter locator clips and stipulates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1977. The directive is intended to ensure the airworthiness and safety of these specific Piper PA-34 aircraft models by addressing a critical component of their operational systems. The directive is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring a uniform standard of compliance and safety within the national civil aviation framework. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this particular directive, meaning all affected aircraft must adhere to the specified requirements to maintain their airworthiness certification.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Civil Aviation Regulation (section 39-105) pertain to Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for specific aircraft models. In this instance, AD/PA-34/23 addresses the Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes, specifically models PA-34-200T with serial numbers ranging from 34-7570001 to 34-7770049. The directive mandates the replacement of induction air box filter locator clips. According to section 39-105, compliance with these directives is essential for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft models. The directive references Piper Service Bulletin No. 542 for detailed instructions, and the required maintenance action must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1977. The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties or entities it governs are primarily concerned with ensuring that the specified maintenance actions are carried out in a timely and effective manner. The relevant aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance providers must ensure that the induction air box filter locator clips are replaced as per the directive within the stipulated timeframe. This involves following the detailed procedures outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 542 and recording the compliance in the aircraft's maintenance logbooks. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to severe operational restrictions or grounding. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 also include provisions for penalties and consequences for non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives. Under section 97 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines of up to $27,500 per breach for individuals and $137,500 for corporations, as specified in section 138 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Additionally, CASA can issue a direction to cease operations or take corrective actions if an aircraft is found to be non-compliant with the applicable Airworthiness Directive. In more severe cases, where non-compliance is found to have contributed to an aviation accident or incident, criminal charges may be pursued under section 319 of the Criminal Code, potentially resulting in fines of up to $500,000 and imprisonment for up to 10 years.