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-34/49 Engine Air Filter 9/99
Applicability: PA-34-200T Seneca II aircraft serial numbers 34-7570001 through 34-8170092, and
PA-34-220T Seneca III aircraft serial numbers 34-8133001 through 34-8633031, 3433001 through 3433225 and
PA-34-220T Seneca III (28V) aircraft serial numbers 3448001 through 3448035, and
PA-34-220T Seneca IV aircraft serial numbers 3448038 through 3448079, 3447001 through 3447029, and
PA-34-220T Seneca V aircraft serial numbers 3449002 through 3449078;
fitted with a Facet engine air inlet filter part number (P/N) 638873 manufactured in the period January 1997 to September 1998.
Note 1: Filters of concern can be identified by accessing the filter and locating the brand name and part number. Filters of concern are branded “FACET 638873” in 0.250”(1/4”) high white characters with no date code.
Requirement: To prevent pieces of a damaged air filter from being ingested in the engine, inspect applicable air filters in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin Number (No.) 1022 and/or Purolator Service Bulletin No. 090298.01.
Note 2: Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR) 42ZC (4) (d) permits the holder of a pilot licence, other than a student pilot, that is valid for the aircraft, to change the air filter. Therefore, should applicable air filters be removed from service prior to the effective date of this directive, the directive will no longer be applicable.
Note 3: FAA Airworthiness Directive 99-05-09 refers.
Compliance: Installed filters: At next inspection of the engine air inlet filter element or within 25 hours time in service from the effective date of this directive, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours time in service.
Spare filters: Prior to installation in a engine.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 9 September 1999.
Background: This directive has been issued to address reports of cracking and break up of certain air filter elements. The defects resulted from evidence of manufacturing errors in filters produced during the period January 1997 though September 1998. The directive requires applicable filters to be inspected for evidence of deterioration.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Parliament of Australia to regulate civil aviation safety, ensuring the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. The regulations encompass a wide range of operational, safety, and maintenance standards. The specific Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-34/49 was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to address the problem of cracking and potential engine ingestion of certain air filters in Piper PA-34 Seneca Series aeroplanes, particularly those manufactured with a Facet engine air inlet filter part number 638873 between January 1997 and September 1998. The policy objective of this directive is to mitigate the risk of engine damage or failure due to filter disintegration by requiring regular inspections and replacement of affected filters. This directive became effective on 9 September 1999.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes, detailing airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models. The directive AD/PA-34/49 concerns engine air filters, specifically the Facet engine air inlet filter part number 638873, manufactured between January 1997 and September 1998, which have been subject to cracking and breakup due to manufacturing errors. This applies to PA-34-200T Seneca II aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 34-7570001 through 34-8170092, PA-34-220T Seneca III aircraft with specified serial numbers, PA-34-220T Seneca III (28V) aircraft, and PA-34-220T Seneca IV and V aircraft with designated serial numbers. The directive mandates inspections according to Piper Service Bulletin No. 1022 and Purolator Service Bulletin No. 090298.01 to prevent engine ingestion of damaged air filter pieces. Compliance requires inspections at specific intervals and before installation of spare filters. This directive is effective from 9 September 1999 and is enforced under the Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR) 42ZC (4) (d), allowing valid pilot licence holders to perform the inspections themselves.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR) Part 39 - 105, as amended by the legislative instrument, pertain to Airworthiness Directives (ADs) specifically for Piper PA-34 (Seneca) Series Aeroplanes. The directive in focus is AD/PA-34/49 (9/99), which addresses the engine air filter for certain Seneca aircraft models. This directive applies to PA-34-200T Seneca II, PA-34-220T Seneca III, PA-34-220T Seneca III (28V), PA-34-220T Seneca IV, and PA-34-220T Seneca V aircraft with specific serial numbers and engine air inlet filters manufactured between January 1997 and September 1998 (section 1). The directive mandates that these filters be inspected to prevent ingestion of damaged filter pieces into the engine, following specific service bulletins (section 2).
The obligations imposed by this directive include the inspection of engine air filters by authorised personnel. For installed filters, this inspection must occur at the next engine air inlet filter inspection or within 25 hours of service from the effective date of the directive, whichever comes first, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 25 hours of service time (section 3). For spare filters, inspection must occur prior to installation (section 4). Additionally, the directive allows the holder of a valid pilot licence, excluding student pilots, to change the air filter if it is removed from service before the directive's effective date (section 5).
Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious safety risks, as the directive is issued to address manufacturing defects that could lead to engine damage or failure. The directive specifies that it becomes effective on 9 September 1999, and non-compliance could potentially lead to civil or criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. While specific penalties are not detailed within the directive, general aviation regulations often include fines and potential suspension or revocation of pilot or operator licenses as consequences for non-compliance with airworthiness directives (section 6).