COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Beechcraft 50 (Twin Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 50/28 Wheel Well Fuel Lines 4/79
Applicability: All models.
Requirement: Replace all aluminium fuel lines upstream of the fuel selector valve in each main landing gear wheel well with lines fabricated from stainless steel.
Note: This requirement does not include the large diameter fuel tank interconnect line situated in the aft section of the wheel wells.
Compliance: Before 1 July 1979.
Background: In the event of an uncontained engine compartment fire it is known that flames will be directed by the slipstream into the main landing gear wheel wells, through which unprotected aluminium fuel lines of small diameter are located. Should any line burn through upstream of the fuel selector valve an uncontrollable amount of fuel will be added to the fire and the integrity of the wing main spar will be endangered. In order to reduce this threat, the aluminium fuel lines are to be replaced with those of stainless steel.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), introduced a series of safety measures designed to mitigate risks associated with civil aviation. One such measure is Airworthiness Directive AD/BEECH 50/28, which addresses a critical safety issue regarding the fuel lines in Beechcraft 50 (Twin Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes. Enacted to address the problem of aluminium fuel lines potentially igniting and exacerbating fires in the event of an uncontained engine compartment fire, this directive requires the replacement of these lines with stainless steel ones to enhance safety and prevent catastrophic outcomes. The policy objective is to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft by reducing the risk of fuel-fed fires, thereby protecting both the aircraft and its occupants.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandates the replacement of aluminium fuel lines with stainless steel lines for all models of Beechcraft 50 (Twin Bonanza) Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to all such aircraft and requires that the aluminium fuel lines upstream of the fuel selector valve in each main landing gear wheel well be replaced with lines fabricated from stainless steel, to mitigate the risk of catastrophic fire and structural damage in the event of an uncontained engine compartment fire. This safety measure was instituted to protect against the danger posed by unprotected aluminium fuel lines, which could burn through under the intense heat of a fire, leading to a substantial fuel leak that could exacerbate the fire and threaten the structural integrity of the aircraft. This directive does not include the large diameter fuel tank interconnect line situated in the aft section of the wheel wells. Compliance with this Airworthiness Directive was required before 1 July 1979, underscoring the urgency and critical nature of the safety measure.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, section 105, includes a directive concerning the airworthiness of Beechcraft 50 (Twin Bonanza) series aeroplanes. The regulation in focus is AD/BEECH 50/28, which pertains to the replacement of aluminium fuel lines in the main landing gear wheel wells with stainless steel lines. This directive applies to all models of the Beechcraft 50 series (AD/BEECH 50/28). The requirement is to replace all aluminium fuel lines upstream of the fuel selector valve in each main landing gear wheel well with lines fabricated from stainless steel, except for the large diameter fuel tank interconnect line in the aft section of the wheel wells. This compliance must be achieved before 1 July 1979.
The obligations imposed by this regulation are specific and direct. Operators and owners of Beechcraft 50 series aeroplanes must ensure that the specified aluminium fuel lines are replaced with stainless steel lines as dictated by the directive. This involves inspecting the fuel lines in question, sourcing appropriate stainless steel replacements, and conducting the replacement work in accordance with the regulation's stipulations. The replacement must be completed to maintain the airworthiness and safety standards of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with AD/BEECH 50/28 can lead to significant consequences. If the specified fuel lines are not replaced by the mandated date, the aircraft may be deemed non-airworthy. This non-compliance can result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, including the potential for the aircraft to be grounded until the required modifications are made. In severe cases, non-compliance could also lead to criminal charges and penalties, including fines or imprisonment, as determined by the relevant aviation safety laws and regulations. The exact penalties can vary based on the severity and circumstances of the breach but may include substantial fines and other sanctions as prescribed by the applicable aviation legislation.