Overview

The Airworthiness Directive AD/CHA/26 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in 2003 aims to address the risk of engine failure due to water-contaminated fuel in American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) Series Aeroplanes. This directive was enacted to enhance the safety of aircraft by mandating additional water draining measures. Reflecting lessons from engine failures experienced in the 1940s, this legislation seeks to ensure that water and foreign matter are effectively removed from the gascolator bowl and strainer screen to prevent unsafe conditions. The directive requires specific actions depending on whether the aircraft is equipped with a metal gascolator bowl with or without a built-in quick-drain arrangement, and it mandates these actions to be performed at specified intervals to maintain airworthiness standards.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to Bellanca (Champion/Aeronca) 7AC, 7BCM, and 11AC models that include a metal gascolator. The directive mandates that aircraft equipped with a metal gascolator bowl without a built-in quick-drain arrangement undergo a process of rocking the wings to settle water into the gascolator bowl before cleaning the bowl and strainer screen to remove water and foreign matter. This action is required at intervals not exceeding 25 hours of time in service. For aircraft with a built-in quick-drain arrangement, the gascolator bowl must be cleaned at each annual inspection, with the quick-drain used during each pre-flight inspection. The directive is effective from 27 November 2003 and was issued to address ongoing issues with water contamination in fuel, which has historically led to engine failures.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CHA/26 are outlined in the requirement section (1). This section specifies the actions that need to be taken depending on whether the aircraft is equipped with a metal gascolator bowl that has a built-in quick-drain arrangement or one that does not. For aircraft with a gascolator bowl without a quick-drain, the wings should be rocked to allow water to settle into the gascolator bowl, after which the bowl must be removed and thoroughly cleaned (1(a)). If the bowl has a quick-drain, the bowl must simply be removed and cleaned (1(b)). There are also specific notes regarding the frequency of these actions if operating conditions result in large quantities of water (Note 1) and the use of the quick-drain during pre-flight inspections (Note 3). The obligations imposed by this AD on the parties or entities it governs are quite clear. Aircraft owners and operators must ensure that the specified actions are performed at the intervals outlined in the compliance section. For aircraft without a built-in quick-drain, this means rocking the wings and cleaning the gascolator bowl at intervals not exceeding 25 hours of service (Compliance: Requirement 1). For those with a quick-drain, the bowl must be cleaned at each annual inspection (Compliance: Requirement 2). Additionally, the quick-drain should be used during each pre-flight inspection. These obligations are designed to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft by preventing engine failures due to water contamination in the fuel. Failure to comply with the AD may result in serious consequences. While specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can lead to severe civil and criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. These penalties can include fines and imprisonment for individuals, as well as legal action against operators for failing to maintain airworthy aircraft. The AD’s objective is to ensure safety, and thus any breach could be considered a serious violation with potential repercussions for both the operators and the passengers.