COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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 CASR 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.
Extra EA-300 Series Aeroplanes
AD/EXTRA/8 Fuel Selector Valve Leakage 7/2003
TX
Applicability: Extra EA300S, EA300L and EA200 aeroplanes.
Requirement: Carry out an inspection and if necessary repairs of the fuel selector valve in accordance with Extra Flugzeugbau GmbH service Letter 300-09-02.
Note: LBA AD 2002-408 refers.
Compliance: Prior to the next aerobatic flight.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 9 May 2003.
Background: There has been several reports of the fuel selector valve not operating correctly. A faulty fuel selector valve can allow fuel to drain from the centre tank to the wing tanks, which must be empty for aerobatics.
Jim Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 6 May 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 May 2003.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) were enacted to regulate the safety of civil aviation in Australia, ensuring that aircraft meet the required standards to protect the public. Part 39 of these regulations includes the Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These directives address specific safety issues identified in aircraft and aeronautical products, ensuring that necessary actions are taken to correct any unsafe conditions. This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertains to the Extra EA-300 series aeroplanes, specifically addressing leakage issues with the fuel selector valve, which was identified as a potential safety hazard that could compromise the aircraft's fuel management system during aerobatic flights. The directive requires an inspection and necessary repairs of the fuel selector valve in accordance with specified service letters and must be completed before the next aerobatic flight. This measure was introduced to mitigate the risk of fuel leakage, which could otherwise lead to dangerous operational conditions during aerobatics.
Scope and Application
This legislative instrument pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which is an Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This directive applies to the Extra EA300S, EA300L, and EA200 aeroplanes, focusing on the safety requirement to inspect and, if necessary, repair the fuel selector valve to prevent leakage. The directive mandates compliance with Extra Flugzeugbau GmbH service Letter 300-09-02 and specifies that this action must be undertaken before the next aerobatic flight. This AD becomes effective as of 9 May 2003, and it applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all relevant aircraft meet the specified safety standards to prevent unsafe conditions during aerobatic operations. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions, and compliance is mandatory for all applicable aircraft within the jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, particularly under PART 39 - 105, outline the requirements for Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These ADs are crucial for ensuring the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products. For instance, AD/EXTRA/8 addresses the issue of fuel selector valve leakage in Extra EA-300 series aeroplanes (s 39.1). This AD mandates that an inspection and necessary repairs of the fuel selector valve must be carried out in accordance with the instructions provided by Extra Flugzeugbau GmbH in service letter 300-09-02 (s 39.1 (1)). This directive applies specifically to Extra EA300S, EA300L, and EA200 aeroplanes (s 39.1 (2)).
The AD imposes clear obligations on the owners and operators of the affected aircraft. They must ensure that the inspection and repair of the fuel selector valve are conducted prior to the next aerobatic flight (s 39.1 (3)). This requirement aims to prevent any unsafe conditions that could arise from fuel misallocation, which could compromise the safety of the aircraft during aerobatic manoeuvres. Failure to comply with this directive could lead to severe safety risks, including potential fuel system failures during flight.
Breaching the requirements of an Airworthiness Directive can result in significant legal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance may be subject to penalties, including fines and potential prosecution. The severity of these penalties can vary, but they are designed to ensure strict adherence to safety regulations. For instance, operators found to be in violation of an AD may face substantial fines, and in severe cases, criminal charges could be brought against responsible individuals. Ensuring compliance with AD/EXTRA/8 is thus not only a regulatory requirement but also a critical safety measure to protect both the aircraft and those on board.