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 (Hedaro) CA 25 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CA25/11 Engine Air Intake Hoses 7/2001
Applicability: CA25 and CA25N 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 (Hedaro) CA 25 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CA25/11 (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/CA25/11, issued on 12 July 2001 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, addresses a safety concern identified in Skyfox Aviation (Hedaro) CA 25 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced following investigations into several incidents and accidents, notably a March 2000 accident, which revealed significant deterioration of the engine air intake hoses leading to hose collapse during high-power operations. The directive mandates specific inspections and replacements of these hoses to ensure airworthiness and prevent future incidents. The directive outlines two main requirements: first, the inspection of the existing engine air intake hoses for their condition and compliance with manufacturer specifications, and second, the replacement of any non-compliant or unidentifiable hoses. Compliance with these requirements is necessary to maintain the safe operation of the affected aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to CA25 and CA25N aircraft, excluding those operated in accordance with Civil Aviation Orders Part 95, Section 95.55. The directive mandates that the specified actions be taken to address an identified unsafe condition concerning engine air intake hoses. The requirement involves inspecting the hoses for their internal and external condition, as well as verifying the manufacturer's identification and specification. If the hoses are found to be non-compliant or their specifications cannot be identified, they must be replaced with approved alternatives. The directive specifies a timeline for compliance, requiring inspections and necessary replacements to be completed within 50 hours or three months from the directive's effective date, with further inspections occurring at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of service. The directive also sets a firm deadline for completing the required actions before 31 October 2001. The directive applies nationwide within Australia, and it was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 13 June 2001 to ensure widespread awareness and compliance.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CA25/11 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) mandates specific actions regarding the engine air intake hoses of Skyfox Aviation (Hedaro) CA 25 Series Aeroplanes, excluding those operating under Civil Aviation Orders Part 95, Section 95.55 (subreg. 39.1(1) CAR 1998). The directive includes two main requirements. Firstly, within 50 hours or three months from the effective date, whichever comes first, and then at intervals not exceeding 50 hours, the aircraft owner or operator must remove both engine air intake hoses for inspection. The inspection must cover both internal and external conditions of the fabric, helix wire, and attachment cuffs, as well as the identification and specifications of the hoses (s. 1(a)). Secondly, before further flights and by 31 October 2001, if the installed hose is found to be non-airworthy, the manufacturer or specification cannot be identified, or the hose is not approved for negative pressure applications, the hoses must be replaced with those approved by a CAR 35/36 authorised person (s. 2).
Entities governed by this AD, specifically aircraft owners or operators of Skyfox Aviation (Hedaro) CA 25 Series Aeroplanes, must comply with the outlined inspection and replacement requirements. They must ensure that inspections are conducted within the specified timeframes and that any identified issues are addressed by replacing the hoses with approved ones. This involves coordination with authorised personnel to verify the approval status of replacement hoses and ensuring compliance with the manufacturer's specifications and conditions (s. 1, 2).
Failure to comply with the AD's requirements may lead to significant consequences. While the AD does not explicitly detail specific penalties, non-compliance with CASA directives can result in enforcement actions by CASA, potentially including fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory actions as deemed necessary by CASA. The seriousness of the directive, stemming from a history of accidents and incidents related to hose failures, underscores the importance of strict adherence to the stipulated requirements (s. Background).