COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Schweizer (Grumman) G-164 (Ag-Cat) Series Aeroplanes
AD/G164/19 Fuel Shut Off Control Installation - Modification 6/82
Applicability: All models G-164A with S/Nos. 1726A to 1730A, All models G-164B with S/Nos. 335B to 659B, All models G-164C with S/Nos. 1C to 44C, and All models G-164D with S/Nos. 1D to 22D.
Document: 1. Schweizer Aircraft Corp. AG-CAT SB No. 78; or 2. FAA AD 82-07-04.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, within 100 hours time in service after 30 June 1982.
Background: The manufacturer has determined that forceful operation of the fuel cock to the “On” position can result in over-rotation of the cock to an unplacarded “Off” position.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, address the need for stringent safety standards within the civil aviation sector. This legislative instrument specifically targets the maintenance and operation of aircraft, aiming to prevent incidents that could compromise safety. The regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), with a policy objective to ensure that all aircraft are maintained to a standard that minimises risks to the public and aviation personnel. One such regulation pertains to Schweizer (Grumman) G-164 (Ag-Cat) series aeroplanes, where an airworthiness directive mandates the modification of the fuel shut off control to prevent over-rotation of the fuel cock to an unplacarded "Off" position, which could lead to fuel starvation and potential accidents. Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 100 hours of time in service after the specified date to ensure continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft models.
The legislative instrument F2006B10104 under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 represents the Commonwealth's commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation. By enforcing modifications such as the installation of a modified fuel shut off control in specific models of the Schweizer (Grumman) G-164 (Ag-Cat) series, the regulations aim to address identified safety issues proactively. The directive is clear in its applicability to certain serial numbers of G-164A, G-164B, G-164C, and G-164D models and mandates compliance within a specified timeframe to mitigate the risk of fuel starvation, thereby safeguarding against potential accidents and ensuring the continued safe operation of these aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the airworthiness of Schweizer (Grumman) G-164 (Ag-Cat) Series Aeroplanes. This legislative instrument applies to all models G-164A with serial numbers ranging from 1726A to 1730A, G-164B with serial numbers from 335B to 659B, G-164C with serial numbers from 1C to 44C, and G-164D with serial numbers from 1D to 22D. The Act mandates the installation of a fuel shut-off control modification as detailed in either Schweizer Aircraft Corp. AG-CAT Service Bulletin No. 78 or FAA AD 82-07-04. Compliance with this directive requires the modification to be completed within 100 hours of time in service following 30 June 1982, to mitigate the risk of forceful operation of the fuel cock leading to an unintentional shut-off of fuel supply. This regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring a uniform standard of airworthiness across all states and territories.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, contains an airworthiness directive (AD/G164/19) concerning the modification of the fuel shut-off control installation on Schweizer (Grumman) G-164 (Ag-Cat) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all models G-164A with serial numbers (S/Nos.) 1726A to 1730A, G-164B with S/Nos. 335B to 659B, G-164C with S/Nos. 1C to 44C, and G-164D with S/Nos. 1D to 22D. The directive mandates that the fuel shut-off control must be modified to prevent forceful operation of the fuel cock, which can inadvertently rotate it to an unplacarded "Off" position. Compliance is required unless the modification has already been completed within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1982. The compliance can be demonstrated using either Schweizer Aircraft Corp. AG-CAT Service Bulletin No. 78 or FAA AD 82-07-04.
The obligations imposed by this directive include ensuring that the fuel shut-off control is modified according to the specifications provided by either Schweizer Aircraft Corp. AG-CAT Service Bulletin No. 78 or FAA AD 82-07-04. The modifications must be carried out within 100 hours of time in service following 30 June 1982. Operators and owners of the specified aircraft models must ensure that the required modifications are documented and verified by a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer (LAME). This directive is intended to prevent potential safety hazards that could arise from the forceful operation of the fuel cock leading to unintended shut-off of fuel supply during flight.
Failure to comply with this airworthiness directive may have serious safety implications. Although the Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly state civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance with this specific directive, non-compliance generally falls under broader aviation safety regulations, which can result in severe consequences. Non-compliance could lead to the grounding of the aircraft, refusal of airworthiness certification, and potential prosecution under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The penalties for breaches of aviation safety regulations can include substantial fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity and intent of the non-compliance. The exact penalties would be determined by the courts, taking into account the specific circumstances of the case.