AD/CASA/24 - Fuel Pump

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, provide comprehensive guidelines and requirements for ensuring the safety of civil aviation operations within the country. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses issues related to the airworthiness of specific aircraft models. One such directive, AD/CASA/24, targets the Casa 212 series aeroplanes equipped with Parker Aerospace fuel pumps, aiming to mitigate risks associated with detected electrical arcing. The directive mandates regular inspections and corrective actions to ensure the continued safe operation of these aircraft, thereby directly addressing safety concerns identified in the fleet. This legislative instrument was introduced to ensure that aircraft maintain their airworthiness and adhere to the highest safety standards, protecting both the crew and passengers.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, governs the airworthiness of aircraft within Australia, including the CASA 212 Series Aeroplanes. This legislative instrument applies to all model C-212 aeroplanes equipped with Parker Aerospace (Parker Hannifin Corporation, Airborne Division) fuel pumps part number A/M 2C37-2. The directive mandates an inspection of the fuel pump cover for evidence of arcing, adhering to the guidelines detailed in Construcciones Aeronaúticas S A document COM 212-252 dated 15 July 1996. If arcing is detected, corrective actions as outlined in paragraphs 4 through 7 of COM 212-252 must be undertaken. This directive, which is referenced by the Spanish DGAC AD 10/96, is effective from 30 January 1997. Compliance necessitates an initial inspection within 100 hours of service post the directive's effective date, with subsequent inspections not exceeding intervals of 300 hours if no arcing is detected. The corrective actions must be completed before further flights following the initial inspection, and successful completion terminates the need for further repetitive inspections.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, issue an Airworthiness Directive (AD/CASA/24) concerning the fuel pump of Casa 212 series aeroplanes equipped with Parker Aerospace fuel pumps, part number A/M 2C37-2. The directive, effective from 30 January 1997, mandates specific actions to mitigate the risk of arcing in the fuel pump system. Section 1 requires an inspection of the fuel pump cover for signs of arcing, following the instructions provided in Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA document COM 212-252 dated 15 July 1996. If such evidence is found, further actions as outlined in paragraphs 4 through 7 of COM 212-252 must be taken. The obligations imposed by this directive necessitate that operators of the specified aeroplanes ensure the inspections are performed meticulously. For Requirement 1, an initial inspection must occur within 100 hours of the directive's effective date, with subsequent inspections not exceeding 300 hours of service time if no arcing is detected during the initial inspection. Requirement 2 mandates that any corrective actions identified in COM 212-252 must be completed before any further flight operations after the initial inspection. Successfully addressing Requirement 2 also serves as the terminating action for the repetitive inspections stipulated under Requirement 1. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this Airworthiness Directive can lead to severe consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the text, non-compliance could result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. These actions may include administrative penalties, fines, or even the grounding of the affected aircraft until compliance is achieved. The overarching goal of the directive is to ensure the safety of air travel by preventing potential hazards associated with fuel pump arcing.