COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes
AD/DHC-8/24 Fuel Heater Low Fuel Pressure Switch
Adapter/Snubber and Engine Nacelle Sealing
Applicability: DHC-8-102, -103, -301, and 311 Series.
Requirement: Action IAW the technical requirements of the FAA AD 92-13-11.
13/92
DM
Note: Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-92-12; All Operator Messages 131, 138 and 152; and Alert Service Bulletin A8-73-14 refer.
Compliance: As detailed in the Requirement Document with an effective date of 4 November 1992.
Background: Investigation into an incident involving a nacelle fire indicated that overtorquing and improper seating contributed to the failure of the fuel heater low pressure switch adapter/snubber resulting in a fuel leak in the nacelle.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to establish and maintain a robust framework for civil aviation safety in Australia. Part 39 - 105, concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses specific safety measures and requirements for aircraft operations. This particular legislative instrument, F2006B09179, pertains to Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series aeroplanes, specifically targeting the issue of fuel heater low fuel pressure switch adapter/snubber and engine nacelle sealing. The directive, AD/DHC-8/24, applies to the DHC-8-102, -103, -301, and 311 Series, mandating compliance with the technical requirements of the FAA AD 92-13-11.13/92DM, and referencing related Transport Canada directives and bulletins. The objective is to mitigate the risk of nacelle fires caused by overtorquing and improper seating of the fuel heater low pressure switch adapter/snubber, as evidenced by an incident investigation leading to the issuance of this directive on 4 November 1992.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as outlined in Part 39 - 105, apply to the specified Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 series aeroplanes, including the DHC-8-102, -103, -301, and 311 models. This legislation mandates that operators of these aircraft must comply with the technical requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Directive AD 92-13-11.13/92DM. The directive, which was issued following an investigation into a nacelle fire incident, requires corrective actions to address the failure of the fuel heater low pressure switch adapter/snubber and engine nacelle sealing. The regulation is enforceable across the Commonwealth of Australia and ensures that all relevant operators adhere to the specified compliance measures, which were detailed in the requirement document effective from 4 November 1992. This includes referencing Transport Canada's Airworthiness Directive CF-92-12, as well as various operator messages and service bulletins to mitigate the risk of future incidents.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail a number of airworthiness directives (AD) that must be adhered to by operators of certain aircraft. For the Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes, Airworthiness Directive AD/DHC-8/24 pertains to the fuel heater low fuel pressure switch adapter/snubber and engine nacelle sealing. This directive applies to DHC-8-102, -103, -301, and 311 Series aeroplanes (section 1). It mandates that actions be taken in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 92-13-11.13/92DM (section 2). Relevant references include Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-92-12, Operator Messages 131, 138 and 152, and Alert Service Bulletin A8-73-14 (section 3). Compliance with these requirements must be achieved as detailed in the Requirement Document, which has an effective date of 4 November 1992 (section 4). This directive was prompted by an investigation into a nacelle fire incident, which revealed that overtorquing and improper seating of the fuel heater low pressure switch adapter/snubber led to a fuel leak in the nacelle (section 5).
Operators of the specified DHC-8 Series aeroplanes are required to implement the technical requirements of the FAA AD 92-13-11.13/92DM, ensuring that the fuel heater low pressure switch adapter/snubber is correctly installed and sealed to prevent fuel leaks. This includes following the detailed instructions in the Requirement Document and ensuring that all modifications are completed by the effective date of 4 November 1992 (section 6). Furthermore, operators must be aware of and refer to the Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-92-12, along with Operator Messages 131, 138 and 152, and Alert Service Bulletin A8-73-14, to fully understand the scope and implications of the directive (section 7). Compliance involves thorough checks and maintenance procedures to rectify any issues related to the adapter/snubber and nacelle sealing, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/DHC-8/24 can lead to serious safety issues, including the risk of nacelle fires and potential fuel leaks. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose strict obligations on operators to adhere to these airworthiness directives. Non-compliance with these directives can result in significant civil and criminal consequences (section 8). Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, operators who fail to comply with airworthiness directives may face penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment. The specific maximum penalties for breaches of these regulations can vary, but they are intended to enforce strict adherence to safety standards to protect the public and maintain the integrity of civil aviation operations (section 9). It is imperative that operators take all necessary measures to ensure full compliance with AD/DHC-8/24 to avoid these legal repercussions.