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.
Skyfox Aviation (Calair/Hedaro) CA 21 and CA22A Series Aeroplanes
AD/CA21/11 Engine Air Intake Hoses 7/2001
Applicability: CA21, CA22 and CA22A, aircraft other than aircraft operated in accordance with Civil Aviation Orders Part 95, Section 95.55.
Requirement: 1. (a) Remove both engine air intake hoses and inspect hoses internally and externally for fabric, helix wire and attachment cuff condition, and
(b) inspect both engine air intake hoses for evidence of the hose manufacturer’s identification and hose specification.
2. Replace engine intake hoses with hoses approved for the purpose by a CAR 35/36 authorised person when it is established the installed hose:
(a) Is not airworthy, or
(b) The hose manufacturer or hose specification cannot be identified, or
(c) The hose is not approved by the hose manufacturer for negative pressure applications.
Note: Aeroduct “SCAT” and “SCEET” hoses are not approved by the hose manufacturer HRD Thermoid Industries for use in negative pressure applications.
Compliance: Requirement 1: Within 50 hours or 3 months, whichever occurs first, time in service
from the effective date of this Directive and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours time in service until Requirement 2 of this Directive is carried out.
Requirement 2: (a) Prior to further flight.
(b) Prior to 31 October 2001.
(c) Prior to 31 October 2001.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 12 July 2001.
Skyfox Aviation (Calair/Hedaro) CA 21 and CA22A Series Aeroplanes
AD/CA21/11 (Continued)
Background: This Directive has been issued to require engine air intake hoses to be inspected for evidence of condition and conforming to the hose manufacturer’s specifications.
The requirement follows the initial findings of the investigation of a March 2000 accident involving a Skyfox aircraft. The investigation of that accident and 3 previous Skyfox engine power loss incidents disclosed, the prime cause of the accident, and the incidents, to be deterioration of the engine air intake hoses. The deterioration results in the hoses collapsing during high power applications.
This Directive has been issued after consideration of comments received against NPRM 0011CS of 11 December 2000.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 1 June 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 13 June 2001.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive AD/CA21/11 was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 1 June 2001 and became effective on 12 July 2001. This directive applies to Skyfox Aviation (Calair/Hedaro) CA 21 and CA22A series aeroplanes, excluding those operated under Civil Aviation Orders Part 95, Section 95.55. The directive was introduced to address safety concerns identified following an accident in March 2000 and three previous incidents involving engine power losses in Skyfox aircraft. The investigations into these incidents revealed that the primary cause was the deterioration of the engine air intake hoses, which collapsed under high power applications. The directive mandates the inspection and, if necessary, the replacement of the engine air intake hoses to ensure they conform to the manufacturer's specifications and are approved for negative pressure applications. This action aims to rectify the unsafe condition identified and prevent future incidents.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Skyfox Aviation (Calair/Hedaro) CA 21 and CA22A series aeroplanes, excluding those operated in accordance with Civil Aviation Orders Part 95, Section 95.55. This AD mandates that particular actions be undertaken concerning the engine air intake hoses to ensure compliance with airworthiness standards. The directive requires the removal and inspection of both engine air intake hoses for fabric, helix wire, and attachment cuff conditions, and for evidence of the hose manufacturer’s identification and specification. Additionally, it necessitates the replacement of hoses that are not airworthy, where the manufacturer or specification cannot be identified, or if the hose is not approved by the manufacturer for negative pressure applications. The directive provides specific timeframes for compliance, with initial inspections to be completed within 50 hours or three months from the directive's effective date, followed by further inspections at intervals not exceeding 50 hours until the specified requirements are met.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive AD/CA21/11 applies to Skyfox Aviation (Calair/Hedaro) CA 21 and CA22A Series aeroplanes, except those operated in accordance with Civil Aviation Orders Part 95, Section 95.55 (Applicability). The directive mandates two primary actions to ensure the airworthiness of the aircraft. Firstly, it requires the removal and inspection of both engine air intake hoses for fabric, helix wire, and attachment cuff condition, as well as verifying the hose manufacturer's identification and specification (Requirement 1(a) and (b)). Secondly, if the installed hoses are found to be non-airworthy, if their manufacturer or specification cannot be identified, or if they are not approved for negative pressure applications, they must be replaced with hoses approved by a CAR 35/36 authorised person (Requirement 2).
The obligations imposed by this directive are stringent. Operators must inspect the air intake hoses within 50 hours or 3 months from the effective date of the directive, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 50 hours (Compliance for Requirement 1). Additionally, certain actions must be completed before further flight, before October 31, 2001, and prior to another specified date (Compliance for Requirement 2). Non-compliance with these obligations could lead to significant safety risks, as the directive was issued following investigations into accidents and incidents caused by hose deterioration.
Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive can result in severe consequences. Although the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and potentially civil or criminal penalties. These could include fines, operational restrictions, or other regulatory actions to ensure compliance and maintain safety standards in aviation. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to specified maintenance and inspection intervals to prevent unsafe conditions and ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft.