COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Agusta A109 Series Helicopters
AD/A109/7 Superflexit Fuel Tanks 10/86
Applicability: All models A109A and A109AII fitted with Superflexit fuel tanks P/No. 109-0611- 02-7/-8 (Superflexit P/No. 18408-1-2) and P/No. 109-0611-02-9/-10 (Superflexit P/No. 18631-1/-2).
Requirement: Inspect and modify in accordance with Agusta B.T. No. 109-57. Compliance: Part I of Requirement Document:
At the next Maintenance Release inspection after 31 October 1986 or before 31 January 1987 whichever occurs first.
Part II of Requirement Document: Each 4 years after initial inspection.
Background: Some instances of fuel leaking have been caused by damage to the bladder due to excessive stress of the pressure hose on the retaining clamp inside the tank.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, include provisions to address the safety of aircraft, including specific directives for certain aircraft models. One such directive is AD/A109/7, which pertains to the Agusta A109 Series Helicopters, specifically models A109A and A109AII, equipped with Superflexit fuel tanks. This directive was enacted to mitigate the risk of fuel leaks due to damage to the bladder, caused by excessive stress on the pressure hose retaining clamp inside the tank. The policy objective is to ensure that these helicopters meet the required safety standards by mandating inspections and modifications of the fuel tanks as specified in Agusta B.T. No. 109-57. This proactive approach aims to prevent potential safety hazards that could arise from compromised fuel tank integrity.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertain to Agusta A109 Series Helicopters and apply to all models A109A and A109AII that are equipped with Superflexit fuel tanks P/No. 109-0611-02-7/-8 (Superflexit P/No. 18408-1-2) and P/No. 109-0611-02-9/-10 (Superflexit P/No. 18631-1/-2). This regulation is mandated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is enforced at the Commonwealth level. The directive aims to ensure the airworthiness of the specified helicopter models by addressing instances of fuel leakage caused by damage to the bladder due to excessive stress from the pressure hose on the retaining clamp inside the tank. Compliance with this directive requires an inspection and modification in accordance with Agusta B.T. No. 109-57, with the first compliance check to be completed at the next Maintenance Release inspection after 31 October 1986 or before 31 January 1987, whichever comes first, and subsequent inspections to be conducted every four years thereafter.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, contain an Airworthiness Directive (AD) specifically for Agusta A109 Series Helicopters concerning their Superflexit fuel tanks. This directive, identified as AD/A109/7, applies to all models A109A and A109AII that are fitted with Superflexit fuel tanks bearing the part numbers 109-0611-02-7/-8 (Superflexit P/No. 18408-1-2) and 109-0611-02-9/-10 (Superflexit P/No. 18631-1/-2). The directive mandates that these helicopters undergo an inspection and modification as per Agusta B.T. No. 109-57 to address potential fuel leaks caused by bladder damage due to excessive stress from the pressure hose on the retaining clamp inside the tank.
The directive outlines two main compliance phases. The initial compliance phase, as stipulated in Part I of the Requirement Document, requires that the inspection and any necessary modifications must be carried out during the next Maintenance Release inspection following 31 October 1986, but no later than 31 January 1987. The subsequent compliance phase, detailed in Part II of the Requirement Document, mandates that the inspection and modification must be repeated every four years after the initial inspection. These requirements are designed to ensure that the fuel tanks are regularly inspected and maintained to prevent fuel leaks, which could compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.
Entities governed by this directive, including operators and maintenance providers of Agusta A109 Series Helicopters, must adhere to the specified inspection and modification schedule to ensure compliance. Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious safety implications, as the risk of fuel leaks could lead to operational hazards and potential accidents. Compliance is not only a legal requirement but also a critical safety measure to protect all individuals involved in the operation of the affected helicopters.
In terms of enforcement and penalties, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide for various sanctions in the event of non-compliance with the Airworthiness Directives. While the specific penalties for breaching this directive are not detailed in the provided text, general provisions within the regulations typically include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges in cases of gross negligence or willful disregard for safety regulations. The severity of the penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, as well as any resulting harm or risk to safety.