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-34/5 Stabilator Tip Balance Weight - Inspection 9/72
Applicability: All models with S/Nos. 34-E4 and 34-7250001 to 34-7250335. Document: Piper SB No. 367.
Compliance: 1. Initial Inspection - prior to further flight after 12 September 1972.
2. Hardware Replacement - as detailed in requirement document.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative instrument F2006B05920, is part of a series of regulations designed to ensure the safety and reliability of civil aviation in Australia. This particular regulation was enacted to address issues specific to Piper PA-34 (Seneca) series aeroplanes, specifically focusing on the stabilator tip balance weight inspection to prevent potential flight hazards. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), under the authority of the Parliament of Australia, introduced this regulation to ensure that all Piper PA-34 models meet stringent safety standards, thereby protecting the lives of passengers and crew. The policy objective behind this regulation is to enhance the overall safety of civil aviation by mandating detailed inspections and necessary repairs on aeroplanes that meet the specified serial number criteria.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) oversees the safety of civil aviation in Australia, and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, provides specific directives for maintaining airworthiness, including Stabilator Tip Balance Weight inspections for certain aircraft models. Specifically, Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-34/5 applies to all Piper PA-34 (Seneca) series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 34-E4 and 34-7250001 to 34-7250335. The directive mandates an initial inspection before further flight after 12 September 1972, followed by hardware replacement as specified in Piper Service Bulletin No. 367. This directive is binding within the Commonwealth of Australia and ensures that the specified aircraft models meet the necessary safety standards for airworthiness. The application of this regulation is comprehensive for the identified aircraft models and does not include any stated exclusions or exemptions. CASA can extend or restrict the application of this directive through subordinate instruments as needed to ensure ongoing compliance and safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of specific aircraft, including the Piper PA-34 (Seneca) series aeroplanes. Section 9/72 of this regulation, known as AD/PA-34/5, mandates specific actions related to the stabilator tip balance weight on these aircraft. The regulation applies to all models with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 34-E4 to 34-7250335, as stated in Piper Service Bulletin No. 367.
To comply with the regulation, operators of the affected Piper PA-34 (Seneca) series aeroplanes must conduct an initial inspection of the stabilator tip balance weight before any further flight after 12 September 1972. Additionally, if any hardware issues are found, they must be addressed by replacing the hardware as specified in the Piper Service Bulletin No. 367. These requirements are intended to ensure that the aircraft maintain their airworthiness and safety standards as dictated by CASA.
The obligations under this regulation are clear and specific. Operators must ensure that the stabilator tip balance weight of their Piper PA-34 (Seneca) aeroplanes is inspected and, if necessary, replaced according to the detailed guidelines in Piper Service Bulletin No. 367. Failure to comply with these directives could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to grounding and potentially severe legal and safety consequences.
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 also outline the potential offences and penalties for non-compliance with the airworthiness directives. While the specific penalties for breaching these regulations are not detailed in the referenced section, non-compliance with CASA directives can generally lead to severe consequences. These may include fines, operational restrictions, and, in severe cases, criminal charges against the operator or responsible individuals. The exact penalties would be determined based on the specific breach and its impact on aviation safety. It is crucial for operators to adhere strictly to the regulations to avoid any adverse consequences.