COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Piper PA-44 (Seminole) Series Aeroplanes
AD/PA-44/11
Amdt 1
Ammeter Installation 12/86
Applicability: Model PA-44-180T with S/Nos 44-8107001 through 44-8207020.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 847. Ensure the shunt is positioned and adequately supported to prevent mechanical loads being applied to the 20 gauge wires connected to the ammeter.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 December 1986.
Background: Reports have been received of loose and/or shorting ammeter connections at the ammeter cluster gauge. If this condition is allowed to continue without rectification the possibility exists for electrical failure or fire within the cockpit. Amendment 1 clarifies the protection requirement.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, form part of the legislative framework governing aviation safety in Australia and are overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations details Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by CASA to ensure that aircraft are maintained in a safe condition. The AD/PA-44/11 Amendment 1 pertains to Piper PA-44 (Seminole) series aeroplanes, addressing an issue identified with the ammeter installation in model PA-44-180T aeroplanes with specific serial numbers. The problem addressed by this AD is the potential for electrical failure or fire caused by loose and/or shorting ammeter connections, which CASA seeks to mitigate by requiring compliance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 847 within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1986. The policy objective is to enhance the safety of the affected aircraft by ensuring the ammeter shunt is adequately supported to prevent mechanical loads on the connected wires.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, applies to all individuals and entities involved in the operation and maintenance of Piper PA-44 (Seminole) series aeroplanes within Australia. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, as they fall under the Commonwealth of Australia’s jurisdiction, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD/PA-44/11) applies to Piper PA-44-180T models with serial numbers ranging from 44-8107001 to 44-8207020. The directive mandates compliance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 847, ensuring that the ammeter shunt is correctly positioned and supported to prevent mechanical loads from impacting the 20 gauge wires connected to the ammeter. This action is required within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1986. The directive responds to reports of loose or shorting ammeter connections that could lead to electrical failures or fires in the cockpit if unaddressed.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes the amendment for Piper PA-44 (Seminole) Series Aeroplanes, identified as AD/PA-44/11 Amendment 1. This particular amendment concerns the installation of the ammeter in the specified model range of PA-44-180T aeroplanes, with serial numbers from 44-8107001 to 44-8207020. It mandates compliance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 847, which stipulates that the shunt must be correctly positioned and adequately supported to prevent mechanical loads from being applied to the 20 gauge wires connected to the ammeter. This requirement is designed to rectify reports of loose and/or shorting connections at the ammeter cluster gauge, which could potentially lead to electrical failures or even fires in the cockpit if left unaddressed. Compliance with these specifications must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1986.
Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, the operators and owners of the affected Piper PA-44-180T aeroplanes are obligated to ensure that the necessary action, as outlined in Piper Service Bulletin No. 847, is carried out promptly. This involves not only the physical installation and support of the shunt but also adherence to the timeframe stipulated by the directive. The regulations mandate that these measures be implemented within 100 hours of the aeroplanes being in service post the date of the directive, which is 31 December 1986. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in significant safety risks, potentially leading to in-flight electrical failures or fires.
The Civil Aviation Regulations also stipulate potential consequences for non-compliance with the airworthiness directives. While specific penalties are not detailed within the text of AD/PA-44/11 Amendment 1, general provisions within the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 may apply. These could include fines, penalties, or other enforcement actions taken by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. In severe cases, non-compliance might result in grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are verified and approved. It is imperative that operators and owners of the affected aircraft adhere strictly to the requirements to avoid any legal repercussions or safety hazards.