AD/PA-36/13 - Fuel Tank Vent - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Australian Government to regulate civil aviation safety and were amended in 2006 to include specific airworthiness directives for aircraft types, including the Piper PA-36 series. This legislative instrument aims to address safety issues by requiring compliance with manufacturer-issued service bulletins and specific inspections. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the enacting body, and the policy objective is to ensure that aircraft maintain a high standard of airworthiness through the application of detailed and specific safety directives. This particular directive, AD/PA-36/13, was introduced to address potential issues with the fuel tank vent line holes in the specified Piper PA-36 series aeroplanes by mandating inspections in line with Piper Service Bulletin No. 508, to be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1976.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, includes specific Airworthiness Directives for certain aircraft types, including the Piper PA-36 (Pawnee Brave) Series Aeroplanes. This regulation applies to all model PA-36-285 aircraft with serial numbers within specified ranges, mandating an inspection of the fuel tank vent line holes. This inspection must adhere to the guidelines detailed in Piper Service Bulletin No. 508. Furthermore, the directive requires a notation to be added to paragraphs 9.9 and 9.13 of the Piper PA-36 Service Manual, referencing the same Service Bulletin No. 508. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory and must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1976. The scope of this regulation is confined to Commonwealth jurisdiction, ensuring safety standards are uniformly applied across Australia. This regulation is exclusive to the specified aircraft models and serial numbers, with no broader application to other aircraft or aviation components. It does not extend to other types of aircraft or industries outside of civil aviation, nor does it cover matters beyond the specific safety directive related to fuel tank vent line holes. The regulation's reach is comprehensive within its specified parameters, ensuring that the identified Piper PA-36 aircraft meet stringent safety standards. The directive is enforced under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's oversight, with potential for further clarification or extension through subordinate instruments if necessary.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, include provisions for Airworthiness Directives (AD) aimed at ensuring the safe operation of aircraft. One such directive, AD/PA-36/13, pertains to the inspection of fuel tank vent lines in Piper PA-36 (Pawnee Brave) Series aeroplanes. This directive applies to models PA-36-285 with specific serial numbers (s/nos. 36-7360001 to 36-7660043, 36-7660045 to 36-7660052, 36-7660054 to 36-7660089, 36-7660091 to 36-7660095, 36-7660097, 36-7660098, 36-7660100, and 36-7660101) (section 1). The requirement under this directive is to inspect the fuel tank vent line holes in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 508. Additionally, it mandates the inclusion of a specific note in paragraphs 9.9 and 9.13 of the Piper PA-36 Service Manual, stating "Refer Piper SB No. 508" (section 2). The obligations imposed by AD/PA-36/13 are primarily on the owners and operators of the specified aircraft models. They must ensure that the inspection of the fuel tank vent lines is conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1976. This inspection is intended to identify any potential issues with the fuel tank vent system, which could otherwise lead to safety hazards (section 3). Furthermore, the requirement to update the service manual with the specified note ensures that maintenance personnel are adequately informed about the inspection procedure. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/PA-36/13 could result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to civil penalties. The specific penalty for violating AD/PA-36/13 is not detailed in the legislative instrument, but generally, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. In more severe cases, repeated non-compliance or significant safety breaches could also result in criminal charges, leading to imprisonment. The exact penalties would be determined based on the specific circumstances of the breach and the discretion of the court (section 4).