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.
Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series Aeroplanes
AD/CL-600/47 Center Tank Fuel Transfer Shutoff Valve 2/2002
TX
Applicability: CL-600-2B19 "Regional Jet" aircraft, serial numbers 7003 and subsequent. Requirement: Applicable to all affected aircraft.
- Open and install a lock ring on applicable circuit breakers in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) A601R-28-045, Revision A, dated 7 December 2001.
2. Disconnect and stow the electrical wires from the circuit breakers opened per Requirement 1, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of ASB A601R-28-045, Revision A.
3. Determine the part number (P/N) of the fuel transfer shutoff valves installed in the center fuel tank. Replace any valve P/N 601R62256-5 with a valve P/N 601R62256-3.
4. If, as a result of Requirement 3, it has been verified that only valves with P/N 601R62256-3 are installed, reconnect the circuit breaker wires that have been disconnected and stowed in accordance with Requirement 2, remove lock rings and reset the associated circuit breakers.
5. Dispatch of aircraft with inoperative fuel transfer shutoff valves:
Operation of the affected aircraft is permitted with the center fuel tank full and with both fuel transfer shutoff valves inoperative (applicable circuit breakers opened in accordance with Requirement 1), subject to the restrictions imposed in Requirement 6, if applicable.
The Flight Crew must be briefed that the wing tanks will indicate full until the center tank is empty. An Engine Indicating and Crew Alerting System LR XFER SOV message will be indicated on the ground. This message may disappear during climb but will remain on during the remainder of the flight.
This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this Directive into the Aircraft Operations Manual.
Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series Aeroplanes
AD/CL-600/47 (continued)
Applicable to aircraft with serial numbers 7003 through 7109.
6. Determine whether the fuel vent system has been modified in accordance with the requirements of Bombardier Service Bulletin 601R-28-024, Revision A, dated 11 November 1998). Aircraft, which have not incorporated the fuel vent system modification, must operate with less than 200 pounds of fuel in the center fuel tank. Amend the limitation section of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) to reflect this limit.
This amendment may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this Directive into the AFM limitation section.
Note: Transport Canada CF-2001-47 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Within one day after the effective date of this Directive. For Requirement 2 - Within four days after the effective date of this Directive. For Requirement 3 - Within 45 days after the effective date of this Directive For Requirement 4 - Concurrent with Requirement 3.
For Requirement 5 - As of the effective date of this Directive until Requirement 4 is accomplished.
For Requirement 6 - Within one day after the effective date of this Directive, until Requirement 4 is accomplished.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 19 December 2001.
Background: Transport Canada has advised that during bench testing of the center tank fuel transfer shutoff valve, it was found that, if the valve fails, it could overheat to a temperature that exceeds the fuel hot surface ignition point.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 17 December 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 December 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2001/47 was issued under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 to address safety concerns identified with the Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series Aeroplanes. This AD was enacted to mitigate the risk of fuel tank fires caused by the overheating of the center tank fuel transfer shutoff valve. The AD mandates specific actions to ensure the safe operation of the aircraft by addressing the unsafe condition identified in the center tank fuel transfer system. It is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as a delegate under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, with the overarching policy objective of maintaining and enhancing aviation safety in Australia.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive applies to Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series Aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers 7003 and subsequent, and it pertains to the center tank fuel transfer shutoff valve. The directive is issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, and it mandates specific actions to be taken to address an identified unsafe condition. The actions include opening and installing a lock ring on applicable circuit breakers, disconnecting and stowing electrical wires, replacing certain fuel transfer shutoff valves, and, in some cases, restricting the amount of fuel that can be carried in the centre tank. These measures must be undertaken by aircraft operators or owners within specific timeframes post the directive's effective date. The directive also allows for continued operation of the aircraft under certain conditions, such as with inoperative fuel transfer shutoff valves, but with restrictions on fuel load and operational briefings. This AD applies nationally across Australia and is subject to enforcement by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which may extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments as necessary.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series Aeroplanes with specific serial numbers. The directive mandates certain actions to correct an unsafe condition identified in the center tank fuel transfer shutoff valve. These actions include installing a lock ring on applicable circuit breakers, disconnecting and stowing electrical wires, replacing certain fuel transfer shutoff valves, and potentially modifying the fuel vent system. These requirements are detailed in sections 1 through 6 of the AD and must be carried out according to the instructions provided in Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) A601R-28-045, Revision A, dated 7 December 2001.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties and entities it governs. For instance, aircraft operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the required actions are completed within the specified timeframes. This includes opening and installing lock rings on the circuit breakers within one day of the directive's effective date, disconnecting and stowing the electrical wires within four days, and replacing any identified fuel transfer shutoff valves within 45 days. Operators must also amend their Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) to reflect any operational restrictions, such as limiting the amount of fuel in the center tank for aircraft without a modified fuel vent system.
Failure to comply with the AD can result in significant consequences. The directive outlines potential penalties and consequences for non-compliance, which can include both civil and criminal liabilities. The specific penalties are not detailed within the AD itself but can be severe, considering the importance of airworthiness and safety. Ensuring compliance with the AD is crucial to maintaining the safety standards required by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
In summary, the AD mandates specific corrective actions for Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series Aeroplanes to address an unsafe condition related to the center tank fuel transfer shutoff valve. It imposes clear obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to complete these actions within specified timeframes. Non-compliance can lead to significant legal and safety repercussions, highlighting the importance of adhering to the directive.