AD/CA21/9 - Carburettor Heat Modification Number 7/97

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced Airworthiness Directive AD/CA21/9 as part of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 to address a safety concern with the Skyfox CA22A series aeroplanes, specifically those fitted with ROTAX 912 engines. This directive was issued to mandate a modification to the carburettor heat system to prevent excessive RPM drops when the carburettor heat is selected, a condition identified as a safety of flight issue. The modification, Skyfox modification number 7/97, was released in October 1997 and requires all applicable aircraft to implement this change within 10 flying hours or 30 days from the directive's effective date of 18 September 1998. The policy objective is to ensure the safety of flight operations by addressing this specific mechanical concern promptly. The directive was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority acting as the regulatory body under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The intent behind issuing this directive is to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation, ensuring that all aircraft meet the necessary requirements to operate safely. By mandating the implementation of the specified modification, CASA aims to mitigate the identified risk and safeguard the integrity of flight operations for the affected aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which mandate certain safety measures for particular aircraft models to ensure compliance with aviation safety standards. This includes Airworthiness Directive AD/CA21/9, which targets all Skyfox CA22A aircraft fitted with ROTAX 912 engines. The directive mandates the implementation of Skyfox modification Number 7/97 to address a known safety issue related to an excessive RPM drop when the carburettor heat is selected. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 10 flying hours or 30 days, whichever is sooner, from the directive's effective date of 18 September 1998. The directive is applicable solely to the specified aircraft model and engine type, and its purpose is to rectify a safety concern identified in these specific aircraft configurations. No exclusions or exemptions are specified in the text, and the directive's reach is confined to the Commonwealth of Australia, enforcing compliance through the CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a directive concerning the airworthiness of Skyfox Aviation (Calair/Hedaro) CA21 and CA22A series aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/CA21/9, pertains to a Carburettor Heat Modification for the CA22A series (section 12/98). This directive applies to all Skyfox CA22A aircraft equipped with ROTAX 912 engines. The requirement is that these aircraft must embody Skyfox modification Number 7/97 in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions (section 12/98). The compliance period is set at 10 flying hours or 30 days from the directive's effective date, whichever is sooner. The directive became effective on 18 September 1998. The obligations imposed by this directive are straightforward: operators of Skyfox CA22A aircraft with ROTAX 912 engines must ensure that the specified modification is implemented as per the manufacturer’s guidelines. This modification is a critical safety measure designed to address the issue of excessive RPM drop when carburettor heat is selected, which was identified as a potential safety hazard. By mandating this modification, the directive aims to mitigate risks associated with this operational issue, ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the required safety standards. Failure to comply with the requirements of this directive may lead to serious consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the directive itself, non-compliance with airworthiness directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations can generally result in severe civil or criminal penalties. This may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges for operators who knowingly allow an aircraft to fly without the required modifications. The seriousness of these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to such directives to maintain the safety and regulatory compliance of air operations. Given the safety implications of the directive, it is imperative for aircraft operators to act promptly in implementing the specified modification. The directive clearly states the timeframe within which compliance must be achieved, and any failure to do so could result in significant legal and operational repercussions. Ensuring that the Skyfox CA22A aircraft are modified in line with the directive not only upholds safety standards but also safeguards the operator from potential regulatory and legal consequences.