AD/BEECH 35/66 Amdt 1 - Engine Fuel Metering Unit

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, include specific directives to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft, and Part 39 - 105 is one such legislative instrument (F2006B03862). This particular amendment addresses safety concerns related to fuel metering units in certain Beechcraft 35 series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, the policy objective of this legislative instrument is to enhance aviation safety by mitigating the risk of engine compartment fires due to fuel leaks. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority issued this directive to ensure compliance with safety standards by requiring specific inspections and modifications to the fuel metering units, as outlined in Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin Number 2420 Revision 1. This directive underscores the commitment to safeguarding aircraft and passenger safety through rigorous regulatory oversight.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to the specific subset of Beechcraft 35 (Bonanza) series aeroplanes that fall under the serial numbers D-7140 and D-7310 through D-10403, and are equipped with turbocharged TCM TSIO-520D engines. This regulation, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandates the implementation of modifications and inspections detailed in Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) Number 2420 Revision 1 to mitigate the risk of fuel leaks, which could potentially lead to engine compartment fires. The directive applies across the Commonwealth of Australia and requires compliance with the specified timeframes, namely, completing the inspection and modification within 50 hours of the aircraft’s time in service and conducting a repetitive inspection at intervals not exceeding 130 hours of time in service. The directive was initially issued in March 1993 and was amended in 1996 to include additional safety measures, ensuring the continued airworthiness of these aircraft.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, require the adherence to Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Section 39.105 outlines the specific AD/BEECH 35/66 Amendment 1, which pertains to Beechcraft 35 (Bonanza) Series aeroplanes. The directive mandates that specific turbocharged Bonanza S35, V35, V35A, and V35B aircraft serial numbers D-7140 and D-7310 through D-10403, equipped with TCM TSIO-520D engines, must follow the detailed requirements of Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) Number 2420 Revision 1, specifically Parts II and III, to mitigate the risk of fuel leaks that could cause engine compartment fires. The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties governed include conducting modifications and inspections as per the detailed instructions in MSB No. 2420 Rev.1. Specifically, the requirement in Part II of the MSB, which involves the installation of a fuel metering unit with a drain hose made from higher temperature tolerance material, must be completed within 50 hours of time in service. Additionally, the repetitive inspection of the modified fuel metering unit, as outlined in Part III of the MSB, must occur at intervals not exceeding 130 hours of time in service. These requirements are intended to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft by addressing potential fuel leak issues. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to serious safety concerns, including the risk of engine compartment fires. The regulations do not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, but it is reasonable to infer that such breaches could result in severe civil or criminal consequences under broader aviation safety laws. The severity of penalties could include fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved, which underscores the critical nature of adhering to these directives.