AD/AC/95 - Bleed Air System Leak Check

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include an Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, AD/AC/95, concerning the bleed air system leak check for Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600, and 700) series aeroplanes. Enacted to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft, the directive was introduced to address the potential for leaks in the bleed air system, which could compromise the aircraft's operational safety. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to provide a timely and effective response to a safety issue identified by the manufacturer, ensuring that operators comply with the necessary maintenance requirements before the formal incorporation of these checks into the maintenance manual. The policy objective is to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation through proactive regulatory measures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically PART 39 - 105 concerning Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/ Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700) series aeroplanes, mandates that all model 681, 690, 690A, and 690B aircraft must adhere to bleed air system leak checks as outlined in AD/AC/95. This legislation applies to all aircraft of the specified models, ensuring compliance with the manufacturer's service bulletin number 221. The requirement necessitates action at the next annual inspection or within 100 hours’ time in service after 4 January 1996, whichever comes first, with subsequent reinspections occurring at intervals not exceeding 12 months or 500 hours’ time in service, whichever is sooner. This directive is intended to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensure safety standards are upheld before the formal incorporation of the revised instructions into the maintenance manual.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertaining to the Twin Commander series aeroplanes (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700). This directive, AD/AC/95, mandates a bleed air system leak check for all model 681, 690, 690A, and 690B series aircraft (Section 1). The compliance requirement states that the action must be taken in accordance with Twin Commander Mandatory Service Bulletin No 221 (Section 2). The directive stipulates that this action must occur at the next annual inspection or within 100 hours of time in service after 4 January 1996, whichever comes first. Subsequently, reinspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 12 months or 500 hours of time in service, whichever comes first (Section 3). The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties involved. Aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel must ensure that the bleed air system leak check is performed as per the manufacturer's service bulletin. This includes adhering to the specified timing for the initial compliance and subsequent reinspections to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. The directive requires that detailed records of the inspections and any corrective actions taken are maintained and made available for inspection by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) upon request (Section 4). Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD can result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations provide for both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. In civil terms, CASA may issue a Notice of Unauthorized Modification, which can lead to the grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are completed. Criminal penalties may also apply, where individuals can face fines and imprisonment for breaches of the regulations. The maximum penalties can vary depending on the severity and intent of the non-compliance, but they are significant enough to enforce adherence to the AD (Section 5).