AD/PA-38/26 - Carburettor Air Box Valve

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, provide the legal framework for ensuring the safety of civil aviation operations within Australia. Among these regulations, Part 39 specifically addresses airworthiness directives, which are mandatory requirements for the continued safe operation of aircraft. One such directive, AD/PA-38/26, pertains to Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) series aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers ranging from 38-78A0001 through 38-82A0122. This directive was introduced to address the problem of screws vibrating loose in the carburettor air box valve assembly, a defect that could lead to loss of carburettor heat control, reduced engine power during flight, and potential ingestion of loose fasteners into the engine, thereby posing a significant risk to aircraft safety. The directive mandates compliance in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 851, requiring corrective action to be undertaken at the next periodic inspection following 31 December 1986.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for various aircraft, including the Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) series aeroplanes. The regulation in question, AD/PA-38/26, focuses on the carburettor air box valve for specific models within the PA-38-112 series, identified by serial numbers 38-78A0001 through 38-82A0122. This directive mandates that the action specified in Piper Service Bulletin No. 851 must be undertaken, addressing the issue of screws vibrating loose in the carburettor air box valve assembly, which can lead to critical failures such as loss of carburettor heat control, diminished engine power in flight, and potential engine ingestion of loose fasteners. Compliance with this directive requires that the necessary action be taken at the next periodic inspection following 31 December 1986 unless it has already been completed. This regulation applies to the specified models of Piper PA-38 aeroplanes operating within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft in compliance with CASA standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate that certain Piper PA-38 (Tomahawk) series aeroplanes must adhere to specific airworthiness directives to ensure their safe operation. Under section AD/PA-38/26, the directive applies to PA-38-112 series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 38-78A0001 to 38-82A0122. The main requirement of this directive is that the action stipulated in Piper Service Bulletin No. 851 must be undertaken. This action aims to address a known issue where screws in the carburettor air box valve assembly can vibrate loose, leading to potential safety hazards such as loss of carburettor heat control, reduced engine power, and the ingestion of loose fasteners into the engine. Compliance with the airworthiness directive is mandatory, and it must be carried out unless it has already been accomplished. Specifically, the required action must be taken at the next periodic inspection following 31 December 1986. This ensures that all affected aeroplanes are assessed and corrected to meet the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Owners or operators of the affected aeroplanes are thus obligated to ensure that the specified maintenance actions are completed within the stipulated timeframe. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can lead to significant consequences. Firstly, non-compliance may result in the aeroplane being deemed not airworthy, which could prevent it from being operated. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 may impose penalties for non-compliance. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the directive, general regulations may include fines and other enforcement actions. In extreme cases, continued non-compliance could lead to legal action, including criminal charges, depending on the severity and impact of the safety breach. It is therefore crucial for all parties involved to adhere strictly to the requirements of the airworthiness directive to avoid any adverse outcomes.