AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/FK-P/6 and issues the following 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.
Franklin Piston Engines
AD/FK-P/6
Amdt 1
Diaphragm Fuel Pumps 10/2003 TX
Applicability: All WSK“PZL-Rzeszow” or Franklin manufactured horizontally opposed piston engines incorporating a diaphragm fuel pump.
Note 1: This Directive is not applicable to aircraft with a gravity feed only fuel system.
Requirement: 1. Identify the model and part number of the installed diaphragm fuel pump in accordance with Section I of WSK/Franklin Service Bulletin (SB) Number PZLF/71/2002.
2. Remove from service, diaphragm fuel pumps identified as model AC4886 or AC Part Number (P/N) 5656774 or PZL P/N 26.11.1710.
3. Replace the diaphragm pump with a sliding vane pump as detailed in WSK/Franlin SB PZL-F/72A/2002 or SB PZL-F/73A/2002 as applicable.
Note 2: Republic of Poland General Inspectorate of Civil Aviation Airworthiness
Directives Nr SP-0088-2002-B and Nr SP-0045-2003-B refer.
Compliance: Prior to further flight.
This Amendment becomes effective on 22 August 2003.
Background: Amendment 1 of this Directive introduces an approved replacement for the fuel pump.
This Directive was issued to address a report received by the FAA from the Polish General Inspectorate of Civil Aviation (GICA). The report detailed that there have been several failures of the pump check valves and diaphragms in certain AC4886 diaphragm fuel pumps. Failure of the fuel pump check valves can result in a reduction or complete loss of fuel flow. Failure of the diaphragm may also result in a loss of fuel flow or a fire risk from an external fuel leak.
Franklin Piston Engines
AD/FK-P/6 Amdt 1 (continued)
The original issue of this Directive became effective on 30 August 2002.
Jim Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 20 August 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 22 August 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/FK-P/6 Amdt 1 on 20 August 2003, as a legislative instrument under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998). This directive was introduced to address safety concerns related to failures of the check valves and diaphragms in certain AC4886 diaphragm fuel pumps used in WSK "PZL-Rzeszow" or Franklin manufactured horizontally opposed piston engines. The unsafe condition identified was that failure of the fuel pump check valves could result in a reduction or complete loss of fuel flow, while failure of the diaphragm could lead to a loss of fuel flow or a fire risk from an external fuel leak. The policy objective of this AD is to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft by mandating the removal of specific diaphragm fuel pumps and their replacement with sliding vane pumps as detailed in the relevant service bulletins.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) mandates specific actions for certain Franklin piston engines that incorporate a diaphragm fuel pump, ensuring compliance with safety standards to mitigate risks associated with identified unsafe conditions. This directive applies to all WSK "PZL-Rzeszow" or Franklin manufactured horizontally opposed piston engines that feature a diaphragm fuel pump, with a notable exclusion for aircraft with a gravity feed-only fuel system. The directive requires operators to identify the specific model and part number of their diaphragm fuel pump, remove any identified as model AC4886 or with part numbers AC P/N 5656774 or PZL P/N 26.11.1710, and replace them with a sliding vane pump as outlined in the relevant service bulletins. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved before further flight. The AD was issued following reports of failures in certain fuel pump check valves and diaphragms, which could lead to significant operational hazards such as reduced or lost fuel flow and potential fire risks from fuel leaks. This directive is a specific application of CASA's regulatory authority under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, reinforcing its jurisdictional reach across the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/FK-P/6 Amdt 1, issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998), applies to all WSK "PZL-Rzeszow" or Franklin manufactured horizontally opposed piston engines that include a diaphragm fuel pump, with the exception of those with a gravity feed only fuel system (section 10). The directive mandates specific actions to address an unsafe condition related to the diaphragm fuel pumps in these engines (section 1). The required actions include identifying the model and part number of the installed diaphragm fuel pump as per WSK/Franklin Service Bulletin (SB) Number PZLF/71/2002 (section 1(1)), removing from service any diaphragm fuel pumps identified as model AC4886 or with AC Part Number (P/N) 5656774 or PZL P/N 26.11.1710 (section 1(2)), and replacing them with a sliding vane pump as detailed in WSK/Franklin SB PZL-F/72A/2002 or SB PZL-F/73A/2002, as applicable (section 1(3)). These actions must be taken before any further flight and are effective from 22 August 2003 (section 10).
The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties governed by it, which primarily includes operators and owners of aircraft equipped with the specified engines. These obligations include identifying the specific fuel pump models in their engines, removing any identified non-compliant pumps from service, and replacing them with the approved sliding vane pumps as per the service bulletins provided. Compliance with these requirements is necessary to ensure the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft, preventing potential failures that could lead to a loss of fuel flow or fire risks due to external fuel leaks.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD may result in serious safety risks and could potentially lead to civil or criminal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can typically result in enforcement actions, which may include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate, or other regulatory sanctions. Such consequences underscore the importance of adhering to the directive to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft.