Commonwealth legislation

AD/PA-31/125 - Electrical Wiring and Fuel Line Chafing

RepealedCTH

This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.

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Commonwealth

Collection

legislative instrument

Plain English Summary

2/10 complexity

This safety directive requires owners/operators of Piper PA‑31 aircraft (Navajo/Chieftain) to inspect electrical wiring in the wing leading edges between the fuselage and engines—especially the area near wing station 54–58.5—for chafing. Repair or replace any worn wiring before flight and submit a Mandatory Defect Report if damage is found.

It responds to an in‑flight fire caused by a chafed wire contacting a fuel line that led to fire and total electrical/engine failure, preventing catastrophic fires.

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Current sections

Direct links to the current provisions in AD/PA-31/125 - Electrical Wiring and Fuel Line Chafing.

AD/PA-31/125 - Electrical Wiring and Fuel Line Chafing

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes

AD/PA-31/125 Electrical Wiring and Fuel Line Chafing 2/95 DM

Applicability: All PA-31 series aircraft.

Requirement: Inspect all electrical wiring in the leading edge of both wings between the fuselage and engines, including the area directly behind both engine firewalls, for signs of electrical wire chafing. During the inspection pay special attention to the wiring located between WS 54 to WS 58.5. Repair or replace any chafed wiring prior to further flight. Submit a MDR on any wiring found chafed.

Compliance: At the next inspection after 23 December 1994 or by 28 February 1995, whichever occurs first.

Background: An in-flight fire in the leading edge of a PA-31-310 wing has been reported.

The fire occurred when chafing between an alternator output lead and/or the starter motor cable and the main tank fuel supply line occurred.

The chafing also caused complete electrical failure and shut down of an engine.

Subsequently, several other PA 31 aircraft were inspected by the operator. One exhibited a similar chafing problem.

Source text

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.

1 AD/PA-31/125 - Electrical Wiring and Fuel Line Chafing