AD/FU24/52 - Fuel Line - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to establish safety standards and requirements for civil aviation in Australia. The legislative instrument F2006B10000, specifically PART 39 - 105, targets the issue of ensuring that airworthiness directives are adhered to for maintaining aircraft safety. This particular Airworthiness Directive AD/FU24/52 addresses a critical safety concern regarding the modification of fuel lines in FU 24 series aeroplanes manufactured by Airparts (NZ) Ltd. It was introduced to address the identified risk of fuel line failures, which could potentially lead to catastrophic in-flight incidents. The policy objective, as stated within the directive, is to ensure compliance with the specified aerospace service bulletin, namely Aerospace SB No. ASB/FU/003, Issue 2, by a stipulated date of 1 January 1978 for all applicable aircraft models, excluding turbo-prop variants.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all model FU24 aircraft with serial numbers 191 and below, excluding turbo-prop models, in relation to the modification of fuel lines as outlined in Airworthiness Directive AD/FU24/52. This regulation is pertinent to aircraft manufacturers, operators, and maintenance providers within the Australian aviation industry. The directive mandates compliance with the specified modification of fuel lines, as documented in Aerospace Service Bulletin No. ASB/FU/003, Issue 2, before the commencement date of 1 January 1978. The regulation ensures that the aircraft in question meet the required safety standards, thereby maintaining the airworthiness of the specified models. The scope of this regulation is geographically bound to Australia, covering all Commonwealth and state jurisdictions where the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 are applicable. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the directive itself, although further details or specifications may be included in subordinate instruments or related service bulletins.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in relation to the Airworthiness Directive (AD) FU24/52, involve mandatory modifications to the fuel lines of specific model FU24 aeroplanes. According to section 39-105, this directive applies to all model FU24 aeroplanes with serial numbers (S/Nos.) 191 and below, excluding turboprop models (s. 39-105). Compliance with the directive is mandated by Aerospace Service Bulletin (SB) No. ASB/FU/003, Issue 2, and must be achieved before 1 January 1978 (s. 39-105). This requirement ensures that the specified modifications are implemented to address safety concerns associated with the fuel lines of these aeroplanes. The obligations imposed by the AD FU24/52 include conducting a thorough inspection of the fuel lines on applicable model FU24 aeroplanes. Owners and operators of these aircraft must ensure that the modifications outlined in Aerospace SB No. ASB/FU/003, Issue 2, are fully implemented before the compliance deadline of 1 January 1978 (s. 39-105). These modifications are crucial to mitigating risks related to fuel line integrity, thereby enhancing the overall safety of the aircraft. The directive also mandates that any required repairs or alterations be carried out by qualified personnel who are certified under the relevant aviation standards (s. 39-105). Failure to comply with the AD FU24/52 may result in significant legal and safety repercussions. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with airworthiness directives is an offence. Those found in breach may face civil penalties, including fines up to a specified maximum amount as determined by the relevant regulatory authority (s. 39-105). Additionally, non-compliance could lead to criminal charges, with potential penalties including imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of compromising aviation safety standards (s. 39-105). The enforcement of these provisions is intended to uphold the highest safety standards in the aviation industry and protect both passengers and crew.