AD/HS 748/34 Fuel Tank Safety Airworthiness Limitations (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

British Aerospace (Hawker Siddeley) HS 748 Series Aeroplanes

AD/HS 748/34 Fuel Tank Safety - Airworthiness Limitations 9/2008

Applicability:

HS.748 aircraft, all models, all serial numbers.

Requirement:

Amend the approved aircraft maintenance schedule to incorporate the instructions and limitations of HS.748 Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) Chapter 05-10-00 “Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCL) - Fuel System” at AMM Revision 19 dated 15 January 2008.

The use of later European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approved revisions of the above document is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this Directive.

Note:  EASA AD 2008-0125 refers.

Compliance:

Within the next 3 months after the effective date of this Directive.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 28 August 2008.

Background:

Resulting from the assessment of fuel tank wiring installations required by SFAR 88 and equivalent JAA/EASA policy, BAE Systems (Operations) Limited has revised the HS.748 AMM, now at Revision 19, to introduce Chapter 05-10-00 “Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCL) - Fuel System”.  The CDCCLs provide instructions to retain critical ignition source prevention features during configuration changes that may be caused by modification, repair or maintenance actions.

The CDCCLs have been identified as requirements for continued airworthiness to address the risk of fuel vapour ignition sources remaining undetected.  This condition, if not corrected, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the aircraft.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

16 July 2008