AD/EXTRA/4 - Air Inlet Screen

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, provide comprehensive guidelines for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. One particular regulation under Part 39 - 105, specifically AD/EXTRA/4, addresses the installation of an air inlet screen for EA-300 Series aeroplanes to mitigate the risk of engine damage due to particles entering the injector throat, such as from a bird strike. This directive was introduced to ensure that such incidents are minimised, thereby enhancing flight safety and reducing potential hazards to aircraft and passengers. The requirement is to comply with the Extra EA-300 Service Bulletin No. 300-5-94, which specifies the installation of the air inlet screen either at the next annual inspection or within 100 hours of time in service, whichever comes first. This directive reflects a policy objective to maintain stringent safety standards in the aviation industry. The legislative instrument F2006B09603, which is part of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, was enacted to address a specific safety concern identified in EA-300 Series aeroplanes. The problem it aimed to resolve was the potential for engine damage caused by particles, particularly from bird strikes, entering the injector throat. By mandating the installation of an air inlet screen, the regulation seeks to reduce this risk, thereby ensuring the continued airworthiness of the aircraft. This measure was implemented to safeguard against the hazards associated with such incidents and to uphold the high safety standards expected in civil aviation. The compliance requirement necessitates action in accordance with the specified service bulletin and is to be carried out at the next annual inspection or within a specified period of operational hours.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, pertains specifically to the safety directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) concerning airworthiness. One such directive, AD/EXTRA/4, applies to EA-300 and EA-300/S series aeroplanes identified by their serial numbers in Extra EA-300 Service Bulletin No. 300-5-94. The directive mandates the installation of an air inlet screen to mitigate the risk of engine damage from particles entering the injector throat, particularly in the event of a bird strike. This requirement must be addressed at the next annual inspection or within 100 hours of time in service, whichever comes first, effective from 25 May 1995. The directive is applicable to specified aircraft only and extends its influence through subordinate instruments, ensuring that the necessary safety measures are uniformly implemented across the identified fleet.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 and specifically in the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, contain provisions relating to the maintenance and operation of aircraft. In this instance, the relevant provision is AD/EXTRA/4 which pertains to the EA-300 Series aeroplanes (section 105). This Airworthiness Directive mandates the installation of an air inlet screen on EA-300 and EA-300/S aircraft as detailed by serial number in Extra EA-300 Service Bulletin No. 300-5-94 (section 1). The purpose of this requirement is to mitigate the risk of engine damage from particles entering the injector throat, particularly in the event of a bird strike (section 2). The Act imposes several obligations on the parties or entities it governs. For example, aircraft operators must ensure compliance with the airworthiness directives as stipulated in Extra EA-300 Service Bulletin No. 300-5-94 (section 3). This means that operators of EA-300 and EA-300/S aircraft must install the required air inlet screen and adhere to the specified compliance timeline. The compliance period begins on 25 May 1995, and the installation must be completed at the next annual inspection or within 100 hours of the aircraft being in service, whichever comes first (section 4). Failure to comply with these provisions can result in significant consequences. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly outline specific penalties in this context, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can generally lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Such actions may include grounding the aircraft, fines, or other administrative penalties. Additionally, failure to comply with airworthiness directives can result in more severe outcomes, such as accidents or incidents that might lead to criminal charges if they result in harm or death. These potential consequences underscore the importance of adhering to the requirements set forth in the legislation.