Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Australian Parliament, were enacted to establish and maintain a comprehensive regulatory framework for civil aviation safety. A specific legislative instrument within this framework, F2006B04759, was introduced to address the issue of potential fuel system contamination in Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes due to the erosion of wing tip tank fuel contents transmitter floats. This instrument mandates inspections of the floats every 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1983, to prevent any resultant loss of engine power. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft by mitigating risks associated with fuel system integrity.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically targeting the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all models of the BN-2 Islander aircraft that are equipped with wing tip fuel tanks. The directive mandates inspections of the fuel contents transmitter floats within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1983, as stipulated in the Britten Norman Service Bulletin BN-2/SB 154.6/83. The directive aims to address the issue of erosion in the fuel contents transmitter floats, which, if left unchecked, could lead to fuel system contamination and a resultant loss of engine power. The regulatory scope is confined to the Commonwealth jurisdiction, impacting all relevant aircraft operators within Australia. The AD does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, thereby implying a broad application across the specified aircraft models and operational contexts.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, outlines an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the wing tip tank fuel contents transmitter floats. This directive, identified as AD/BN-2/48, mandates the inspection of the transmitter floats on all BN-2 Islander models equipped with wing tip fuel tanks. The directive references the compliance document Britten Norman SB BN-2/SB 154.6/83 and stipulates that inspections must be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1983. The directive's primary requirement is to ensure the transmitter floats within the wing tip fuel tanks are inspected to prevent erosion and subsequent fuel system contamination. This contamination could lead to a loss of engine power, thereby compromising flight safety. The inspections must be conducted according to the procedures outlined in the referenced document, ensuring adherence to the manufacturer's specifications. The Act imposes several obligations on the operators and maintenance personnel of BN-2 Islander aircraft. Operators must ensure that the inspection of the transmitter floats is carried out within the stipulated timeframe of 100 hours after the specified date. Maintenance personnel must be adequately trained and authorised to perform these inspections and must follow the procedures detailed in the compliance document. Additionally, operators must keep accurate records of each inspection, including the date, the personnel who performed the inspection, and the condition of the transmitter floats, to demonstrate compliance with the AD. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the AD/BN-2/48 may result in various consequences. Civil penalties can be imposed for non-compliance, which can include fines. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, the maximum penalty for non-compliance with an AD is $10,500 for individuals and $52,500 for corporations. Additionally, non-compliance may lead to the grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections are completed and deemed satisfactory by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, potentially disrupting flight schedules and incurring further financial costs. Criminal liability may also apply if the non-compliance results in serious safety risks, leading to more severe penalties.