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-34/39
Amdt 1
Ammeter Installation 12/86
Applicability: Model PA-34-200T with S/Nos. 34-7570001 through 34-8170092, except those aircraft fitted with ninety (90) ampere alternators.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 811A. Ensure the shunt is positioned and adequately supported to prevent mechanical loads being applied to the 20 gauge wires connected to the ammeter.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 July 1986.
Background: Reports have been received of loose and/or shorting ammeter connections at the ammeter cluster gauge. If this condition is allowed to continue without rectification the possibility exists for electrical failure or fire within the cockpit. Amendment 1 clarifies the protection requirement.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, was enacted to address safety issues within civil aviation operations in Australia. This legislative instrument is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which has a policy objective of ensuring the safety and efficiency of the Australian aviation industry. One of the safety directives under this regulation is AD/PA-34/39 Amendment 1, which pertains to the installation of ammeters in Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series aeroplanes, particularly the PA-34-200T models. This amendment was introduced to mitigate the risk of electrical failure or fire within the cockpit, which could arise from loose or shorting ammeter connections. The requirement is that the ammeter shunt must be properly positioned and supported to prevent mechanical loads on the 20 gauge wires connected to the ammeter, in line with Piper Service Bulletin No. 811A. Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1986, for the specified model range of aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Regulations 1998, establish the framework for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australian airspace. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 within the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives applies to certain models of Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series aeroplanes, namely those with serial numbers ranging from 34-7570001 to 34-8170092, excluding aircraft fitted with 90 ampere alternators. The legislation mandates compliance with specific safety measures outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 811A, focusing on the installation and support of the ammeter shunt to prevent mechanical stress on the 20 gauge wires connected to the ammeter. Failure to adhere to this directive within 100 hours of service time after 31 July 1986 risks electrical failures or fires within the cockpit, thus compromising flight safety. The regulation's applicability is confined to the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all applicable aircraft within its jurisdiction meet the specified safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates specific safety directives for certain aircraft models, including the Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes. Within this part, Amendment 1 of Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-34/39 pertains to the ammeter installation on the Model PA-34-200T with specific serial numbers (1.1). This directive applies to all aircraft within the specified serial number range except those fitted with a ninety (90) ampere alternator (1.2). The requirement is to follow Piper Service Bulletin No. 811A, ensuring that the shunt is properly positioned and supported to avoid mechanical loads on the 20 gauge wires connected to the ammeter (1.3). Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following 31 July 1986 (1.4).
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Aircraft operators and owners must ensure that the specified ammeter installations comply with the requirements outlined in the directive. This involves following the instructions in Piper Service Bulletin No. 811A to correctly position and support the shunt, thereby protecting the 20 gauge wires from mechanical loads (2.1). Additionally, operators must monitor the aircraft's service hours and complete the necessary actions within the stipulated timeframe to maintain compliance (2.2). Failure to adhere to these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to grounding and potential legal repercussions.
Breaching the requirements of the Civil Aviation Regulations can lead to various civil and criminal consequences. For instance, if an operator fails to comply with the specified ammeter installation directive, they may face enforcement actions from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (3.1). Such actions could include fines, suspension or revocation of an operator's certificate, or other regulatory penalties (3.2). In severe cases where non-compliance results in an accident or serious safety incidents, criminal charges may be pursued against the responsible parties, potentially leading to substantial fines and imprisonment (3.3). The exact penalties are not specified in the legislative instrument but can be severe under Australian aviation law.