COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Gulfstream (Grumman American) GA-7 Series Aeroplanes
AD/GA-7/7 Fuel Line Chafing - Inspection NK
Applicability: Model GA-7 with S/Nos. GA-7-0001 to GA-7-0076. Document: 1. GAC SB No. ME-14; or
2. FAA AD 79-05-06 amendment 39-3423.
Compliance: Within 25 hours time in service after 9 April 1979.
Background: The main fuel line aft of the left hand engine firewall may be chafed by the propeller control cable.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. Part 39 of these regulations, specifically AD/GA-7/7, pertains to airworthiness directives for Gulfstream (Grumman American) GA-7 Series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address a specific safety issue identified with the fuel line chafing in these aircraft models. The problem arises due to the potential for the main fuel line aft of the left-hand engine firewall to be chafed by the propeller control cable, posing a risk to the aircraft's operational safety. The enactment of this directive by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority aims to mitigate this risk through mandatory inspections and compliance within a specified timeframe.
The policy objective of AD/GA-7/7 is to ensure that the identified safety issue is promptly addressed, thereby enhancing the overall safety standards of civil aviation. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for the specified models of Gulfstream GA-7 aeroplanes, within 25 hours of time in service after the directive's issuance date of 9 April 1979. This regulation underscores the commitment of the Australian government to maintaining high safety standards in the aviation sector, as overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued Airworthiness Directive AD/GA-7/7 under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically targeting Gulfstream (Grumman American) GA-7 Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to the models with serial numbers ranging from GA-7-0001 to GA-7-0076. The directive mandates an inspection of the fuel line to prevent chafing caused by the propeller control cable, a safety concern identified in the main fuel line aft of the left-hand engine firewall. Compliance with this directive is required within 25 hours of time in service after 9 April 1979, and can be evidenced by either GAC Service Bulletin No. ME-14 or FAA AD 79-05-06 Amendment 39-3423. This regulation is a critical safety measure to ensure the airworthiness and operational safety of the specified aircraft models.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the Gulfstream (Grumman American) GA-7 Series Aeroplanes. The AD, identified as AD/GA-7/7, mandates an inspection for fuel line chafing. This directive applies to the model GA-7 with serial numbers ranging from GA-7-0001 to GA-7-0076. The inspection must be conducted within 25 hours of time in service after 9 April 1979. The relevant documentation for compliance includes either GAC Service Bulletin No. ME-14 or FAA AD 79-05-06, as amended by 39-3423. The primary concern addressed by this directive is the potential chafing of the main fuel line aft of the left-hand engine firewall, which may occur due to contact with the propeller control cable.
Under this AD, the operator or owner of the affected aircraft must ensure that the specified inspection is performed by a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer (LAME) or an appropriately certified individual. The inspection involves a thorough examination of the fuel line in the mentioned area to identify any signs of chafing or wear. Proper documentation of the inspection findings must be maintained and made available for review by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) upon request.
Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in AD/GA-7/7 may result in significant legal consequences. Non-compliance with ADs is considered a breach of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. Such breaches can lead to enforcement actions, including the possibility of fines or other civil penalties imposed by CASA. Additionally, an un-airworthy aircraft due to non-compliance could face grounding, which would disrupt operations and potentially result in safety hazards. In severe cases, criminal charges may be pursued against individuals responsible for the oversight or maintenance of the aircraft, leading to substantial fines or imprisonment as per the applicable laws.