Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Extra EA-300 Series Aeroplanes in 2004 to address a safety issue concerning the potential for fuel to enter the cockpit through gaps between the bottom fuselage cover and the firewall. This directive is an instrumental legislative instrument designed to ensure the airworthiness of affected aircraft by mandating specific actions to rectify identified unsafe conditions. The directive requires that the gaps be sealed and the sealing procedure be followed whenever the bottom fuselage cover is reinstalled. This AD became effective on 24 November 2004 and applies to certain serial numbers of the Extra EA-300 aircraft models, necessitating compliance within 50 flight hours after the directive's publication or by 24 February 2005, whichever is earlier.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) EXTRA/9 issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 pertains to specific models of EA-300 series aeroplanes manufactured by Extra Aviation. The directive applies to the EA-300, EA-300/S, EA-300/L, and EA-300/200 aircraft with particular serial numbers, mandating actions to ensure the aircraft meet safety standards. The directive requires the sealing of gaps between the bottom fuselage cover and the firewall to prevent fuel from entering the cockpit, as well as the accomplishment of the sealing procedure whenever the bottom fuselage cover is reinstalled. The AD is applicable to aircraft within the specified serial numbers and must be complied with within 50 flight hours after 24 November 2004 or by 24 February 2005, whichever occurs first. This directive was issued to address an unsafe condition identified in these aircraft models, and compliance is mandatory to maintain airworthiness. The AD is effective from 24 November 2004, and failure to comply may result in the aircraft being considered unairworthy.

Key Provisions

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies to specific models of Extra EA-300 Series Aeroplanes. Specifically, it targets aircraft with serial numbers within certain ranges: Model EA-300 (0 through 67), Model EA-300/S (0 through 31), Model EA-300/L (0 through 167, 168 through 170, 1168 through 1170, 1171, 172, 1172, 173, 1173, and 1174 through 1181), and Model EA-300/200 (0 through 31). The directive also broadly applies to all models of the EA-300 series. The requirement is to complete Part I and Part II of Extra Service Bulletin No. 300-4-04 Issue A, dated 25 May 2004, which involves sealing the gaps between the bottom fuselage cover and the firewall to prevent fuel from entering the cockpit. This sealing must be performed whenever the bottom fuselage cover is reinstalled. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 50 flight hours after 24 November 2004, or by 24 February 2005, whichever comes first. The obligations imposed by this AD on the relevant parties include the completion of the specified sealing procedures as outlined in Extra Service Bulletin No. 300-4-04 Issue A. This requirement applies not only initially but also every time the bottom fuselage cover is reinstalled on the affected aircraft. The directive mandates adherence to the precise instructions provided in the service bulletin to ensure the safety of the aircraft by preventing fuel from entering the cockpit area. The AD also stipulates that compliance must be achieved within a specific timeframe, either within 50 flight hours from 24 November 2004, or by 24 February 2005, whichever is earlier. Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive may lead to serious consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD itself, non-compliance with ADs issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can result in severe penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. These penalties can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the non-compliance and the impact on aviation safety. The exact penalties would be determined based on the specific circumstances of the breach and the discretion of the court or regulatory body.