Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, outlines a directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety issues related to certain American Champion aeroplanes. Enacted under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, the purpose of this legislative instrument is to ensure the safety of civil aviation by mandating specific actions to correct unsafe conditions identified in certain aircraft components. The policy objective is to mitigate risks associated with structural failures in aircraft parts, particularly exhaust stacks, which could lead to hazardous conditions during flight. This Airworthiness Directive was introduced to address the identified problem of mild steel exhaust stack failures in Aeronca and Bellanca series aeroplanes, which could potentially result in serious safety incidents.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR), specifically Part 39, which includes the Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), applies to all aircraft and aeronautical products within the Australian jurisdiction. The scope of AD/CHA/27 pertains specifically to American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) Series Aeroplanes, namely Aeronca 7AC aeroplanes with serial numbers prior to 7AC-6797 and 11AC aeroplanes with serial numbers prior to 11AC-1697, that are fitted with mild steel exhaust stacks part numbers 7-485 and 7-486. This directive is aimed at addressing the safety issues associated with these particular exhaust stacks, such as burning, flaking, and obstruction. The AD mandates that the specified inspections be conducted at repetitive intervals not exceeding 50 flight hours from the effective date of the directive, which is 27 November 2003. This directive, issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of CASR 1998, is applicable nationwide and must be adhered to by the relevant operators and maintenance personnel. The AD becomes effective on the date it was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, which is 5 November 2003.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, outlines an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for certain American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) Series aeroplanes. This AD (AD/CHA/27) pertains to the exhaust stack 'Y' junction of Aeronca 7AC aeroplanes with serial numbers (S/N) prior to No. 7AC-6797 and 11AC aeroplanes with S/N prior to No. 11AC-1697, which are fitted with mild steel exhaust stacks part numbers 7-485 and 7-486 (section 1). This directive was issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address manufacturing difficulties that have led to failures in the mild steel 'Y' stacks, such as cracking, burning, and obstruction. These failures can result in hazardous conditions, including exhaust gases entering the cabin and/or carburettor heater muffs (section 2). The requirements set forth in the AD mandate a visual inspection of the exhaust stacks at the 'Y' junction for signs of burning or flaking. Additionally, the stacks must be tapped with a hammer to check for soft spots and to ensure they are not obstructed. These inspections must be conducted in accordance with Champion Aircraft Corporation service helps and hints #25 Revision 1 (section 3). Furthermore, the AD references FAA AD 47-30-05, indicating a collaborative effort in addressing this safety issue. The directive requires compliance at repetitive intervals not exceeding 50 flight hours from the effective date of the AD, which is 27 November 2003 (section 4). Entities governed by this AD, primarily the operators and owners of the specified Aeronca aeroplanes, are required to adhere to the inspection and maintenance procedures outlined. Failure to comply with these AD requirements can result in severe consequences, including the potential grounding of the aircraft until the issues are rectified. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can also lead to enforcement actions by CASA, which may include fines, penalties, and criminal charges. The specific penalties for non-compliance with ADs are not detailed in the provided text but can be substantial, reflecting the critical nature of maintaining airworthiness in aviation. In summary, the AD mandates regular inspections and maintenance of the exhaust stacks on specified Aeronca aeroplanes to prevent failures that could lead to unsafe conditions. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory for the continued airworthiness of the aircraft, with potential penalties for non-compliance being severe, including financial penalties and criminal charges.