COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Beechcraft 56TC (Turbo Baron) Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 56/9 Fuel Vent Heater Wiring 9/71
Applicability: All models fitted with electrical fuel vent heaters.
Requirement: 1. Disconnect the electrical power supply to both fuel vent heaters and install a warning placard or tag indicating system is inoperative.
Note: If this is accomplished by tripping the appropriate circuit breaker, a clip must be placed over the shank of the circuit breaker to prevent inadvertent resetting.
2. Inspect the fuel vent heater electric wiring in the wing area for signs of chafing.
3. Either secure the wiring to prevent chafing or cover the wiring with plastic sleeving to prevent chafing. Beech SI No. 0562-355 also refers.
Compliance: Para. 1 - Within 10 hours’ time in service after 30 September 1971.
Paras. 2 and 3 - Before reconnecting the fuel vent heaters to the electrical power supply.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39, includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safety of aviation operations in Australia. This legislative instrument, identified as F2006B04071, targets a specific safety concern for Beechcraft 56TC (Turbo Baron) Series aeroplanes regarding the fuel vent heater wiring. The problem it addresses is the potential for electrical faults in the fuel vent heater system, which could lead to dangerous conditions such as overheating or fire. The policy objective is to mitigate these risks through mandatory inspections and modifications, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation within Australia. This directive was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which is tasked with ensuring compliance with the regulations to maintain high safety standards in the aviation industry.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the maintenance and operation of aircraft in Australia, ensuring compliance with safety standards. This legislation applies to all Beechcraft 56TC (Turbo Baron) Series Aeroplanes fitted with electrical fuel vent heaters, mandating specific actions to maintain airworthiness. The directive requires operators to disconnect the electrical power supply to both fuel vent heaters and install a warning placard or tag indicating the system is inoperative, with a requirement to prevent inadvertent resetting if the power is disconnected by tripping the circuit breaker. Additionally, operators must inspect the fuel vent heater electric wiring in the wing area for signs of chafing and either secure the wiring to prevent chafing or cover it with plastic sleeving. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory, with the disconnection and warning placard requirement to be completed within 10 hours’ time in service after 30 September 1971, and the inspection and protective measures to be undertaken before reconnecting the fuel vent heaters to the electrical power supply. The regulation applies nationwide within the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by CASA, and does not specify exclusions or exemptions within the provided text.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address the airworthiness directives for Beechcraft 56TC (Turbo Baron) Series aeroplanes, particularly in relation to the fuel vent heater wiring. The primary requirement outlined in the legislation (AD/BEECH 56/9) is to disconnect the electrical power supply to the fuel vent heaters and install a warning placard or tag indicating the system is inoperative (section 1). If the disconnection is achieved by tripping the circuit breaker, a clip must be placed over the shank to prevent inadvertent resetting. Additionally, the regulation mandates an inspection of the fuel vent heater electric wiring in the wing area for any signs of chafing (section 2). Finally, the wiring must either be secured to prevent chafing or covered with plastic sleeving to ensure it does not chafe (section 3).
The Civil Aviation Regulations impose several obligations on the parties involved. Firstly, operators of Beechcraft 56TC (Turbo Baron) Series aeroplanes must ensure that the electrical power supply to the fuel vent heaters is disconnected within 10 hours of the aeroplane being in service after 30 September 1971 (section 1). They must also install a warning placard or tag, and if the disconnection is by circuit breaker, secure it with a clip (section 1). Furthermore, operators must conduct a thorough inspection of the fuel vent heater electric wiring in the wing area for any signs of chafing before reconnecting the heaters to the electrical power supply (section 2). Finally, any identified chafing must be addressed either by securing the wiring or covering it with plastic sleeving (section 3).
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to significant legal consequences. While the Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly outline penalties for non-compliance with this specific directive, general aviation regulations may impose penalties for any breach of airworthiness directives. Such breaches could result in fines, legal action, or even grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The potential civil and criminal consequences underline the importance of adhering to these safety directives to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensure the safety of all passengers and crew.