COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-42/8 Engine Inlet Fuel Filter - Modification 9/84
Applicability: All model PA-42 with S/Nos 42-7800002 to 42-7801004, 42-8001001 to 42-8001106,
42-8301001 to 42-8301002, 42-5501003 to 42-5501022.
Requirement: Piper SB No. 785.
Compliance: Within 25 hours time in service after 31 August 1984.
Background: Excessive end play in the fuel filter by-pass flapper valve and shaft could allow restricted or blocked fuel flow should the shaft or valve disengage from the housing.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by F2006B05998, were enacted to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation in Australia, addressing gaps in the oversight and safety requirements of aircraft. This specific legislative instrument pertains to the Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) Series Aeroplanes, targeting an identified issue with the engine inlet fuel filter. The problem addressed by this directive was the potential for excessive end play in the fuel filter by-pass flapper valve and shaft, which could lead to restricted or blocked fuel flow if the shaft or valve disengaged from the housing. This was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to mitigate safety risks associated with these specific aircraft models. The policy objective is to ensure that all affected aircraft comply with the specified safety modifications within the stipulated timeframe to maintain airworthiness and safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) series aeroplanes with serial numbers within the specified ranges. This legislative instrument is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and pertains to the mandatory modification of the engine inlet fuel filter to address a potential safety hazard. The requirement is for compliance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 785, which must be implemented within 25 hours of time in service following 31 August 1984. This regulation ensures that the identified issue with excessive end play in the fuel filter bypass flapper valve and shaft, which could lead to restricted or blocked fuel flow, is rectified to maintain airworthiness standards. The scope of the legislation is narrowly focused on the specified aircraft models and the particular modification, ensuring the safety of civil aviation within the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, are concerned with the issuance of airworthiness directives (ADs) for particular aircraft models. The specific AD/PA-42/8 pertains to Piper PA-42 (Cheyenne III) series aeroplanes and mandates a modification to the engine inlet fuel filter (section 39.105). This AD applies to all model PA-42 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 42-7800002 to 42-7801004, 42-8001001 to 42-8001106, 42-8301001 to 42-8301002, and 42-5501003 to 42-5501022. The requirement is to follow Piper Service Bulletin No. 785, which must be implemented within 25 hours of time in service after 31 August 1984. This directive aims to address an issue where excessive end play in the fuel filter bypass flapper valve and shaft could potentially lead to restricted or blocked fuel flow if the shaft or valve were to disengage from the housing.
The obligations and requirements imposed by this AD on the parties or entities it governs include ensuring that the specified Piper PA-42 aircraft undergo the necessary modifications to the engine inlet fuel filter as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 785. The compliance timeframe is stringent, mandating that the modifications be completed within 25 hours of the aircraft accumulating time in service after the specified date of 31 August 1984. This requirement is crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of the affected aircraft, ensuring that the potential risk of restricted or blocked fuel flow due to excessive end play in the fuel filter is mitigated.
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose penalties and consequences for non-compliance with the airworthiness directives. Specifically, failure to adhere to the requirements of AD/PA-42/8, such as not completing the mandated modification within the specified timeframe, could result in significant civil or criminal consequences. While the exact penalties are not detailed in the provided text, it is known that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to severe repercussions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. The regulatory framework is designed to ensure that all aircraft meet stringent safety standards, and any breach of these standards can have serious implications for both the operators and the overall safety of aviation.