COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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 39.1 (1) of CAR 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.
AMD Falcon 50 and 900 Series Aeroplanes
AD/AMD 50/28 Rear Fuel Tank Protection 2/2003
Applicability: Mystère Falcon 50 aeroplanes with BFGoodrich Stormscope® antenna installed between frames 22 and 23 by Dassault Aviation modification M2208 or by a DFJ Little Rock modification, except aeroplanes on which modification M2838 or Service Bulletin (SB) F50-404 has been implemented.
Mystère Falcon 900/Falcon 900EX aeroplanes with Stormscope® antenna installed between frames 23 and 24 by Dassault Aviation modification M2993 or by a DFJ Little Rock modification, except aeroplanes on which modification M3498 or SB F900-293 or SB F900EX-158 has been implemented.
Requirement: Reinforce the rear fuel tank by installing a shield plate over the fuel tank structure above the Stormscope® antenna and replace the antenna plug connector. Both these actions are to be accomplished in accordance with the following Service Bulletins, as applicable:
Aeroplane Model
Falcon 50
Falcon 900 Falcon 900EX
Note: DGAC AD 2002-569(B) refers.
Service Bulletin
F50-404 F900-293 F900EX-158
Compliance: Within 25 months after the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 February 2003.
Background: The French Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile has advised the BFGoodrich Stormscope® antenna connector may, during a wheels up landing, puncture the rear fuel tank.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 10 December 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 29 January 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) are a foundational piece of legislation in Australia, establishing the legal framework for civil aviation and ensuring the safety and efficiency of the national airspace. Enacted in 1998 by the Commonwealth Parliament, these regulations were designed to address the need for comprehensive and consistent standards governing aviation operations in Australia. The regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, with the overarching policy objective of maintaining the highest possible level of safety in civil aviation. Part 39 of the CAR 1998 includes provisions for Airworthiness Directives, which are issued to correct unsafe conditions on aircraft and aeronautical products. This regulatory approach ensures that all civil aviation activities within Australia comply with stringent safety standards, thereby protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the aviation system.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety issues identified in aircraft. The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/AMD 50/28 pertains to the Mystère Falcon 50 and 900 Series aeroplanes, specifically those equipped with a BFGoodrich Stormscope® antenna situated between designated frames and modified by Dassault Aviation or DFJ Little Rock, unless certain other modifications or service bulletins have been implemented. The directive mandates the reinforcement of the rear fuel tank by installing a shield plate over the fuel tank structure above the antenna and replacing the antenna plug connector, as detailed in the applicable service bulletins. Compliance with these requirements must occur within 25 months from the effective date of the directive, which was 20 February 2003. This legislation applies to the specified aircraft models within the Australian jurisdiction and is enforced to mitigate the risk of fuel tank puncture during a wheels up landing, a concern highlighted by the French Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 under section 39.1 (1) mandates specific actions to address an identified unsafe condition in certain Falcon 50 and 900 series aeroplanes. This AD requires the reinforcement of the rear fuel tank by installing a shield plate above the Stormscope® antenna and replacing the antenna plug connector, as specified in relevant service bulletins. This directive applies to Mystère Falcon 50 aeroplanes with a Stormscope® antenna installed between frames 22 and 23 by Dassault Aviation modification M2208 or by a DFJ Little Rock modification, and Mystère Falcon 900/Falcon 900EX aeroplanes with a Stormscope® antenna installed between frames 23 and 24 by Dassault Aviation modification M2993 or by a DFJ Little Rock modification, excluding those that have already undergone specific modifications or service bulletins.
The obligations imposed by this AD on the relevant parties include ensuring that the specified modifications are completed within 25 months from the effective date of the directive, which is 20 February 2003. This timeframe is critical for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring compliance with safety standards. The directive clearly outlines the necessary actions, referencing applicable service bulletins (F50-404, F900-293, F900EX-158) that detail the precise procedures for the installation and replacement tasks. Failure to comply with the AD within the specified period could result in serious safety implications, potentially leading to compromised structural integrity and fuel tank vulnerabilities during landings.
Breaches of this Airworthiness Directive can lead to severe consequences, including potential civil and criminal liabilities. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the text of the AD, under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with ADs can result in significant penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, and in severe cases, criminal penalties such as imprisonment may be imposed. Additionally, aircraft operators who fail to comply with ADs risk having their airworthiness certificates revoked, which would ground the affected aircraft until the required modifications are completed and approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).