Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serve as a comprehensive framework to govern the safety, efficiency, and regularity of civil aviation within the country. This legislation includes specific regulations pertaining to aircraft maintenance, operational standards, and safety directives to ensure that all aviation activities are conducted with the highest level of safety. One such directive is addressed in Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for specific aircraft models. For instance, Airworthiness Directive AD/GAF-N22/40 focuses on the inspection of fuel tank selector and fuel shut-off cables in GAF N22 and N24 Series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the problem of incorrectly crimped cable sheath adjustment sleeves detaching from the cable sheath under push loads, which could result in lost motion to the fuel tank selector valves or the fuel shut-off valves, thus posing significant safety risks. The policy objective is to ensure that all relevant aircraft comply with these safety standards within a specified timeframe to mitigate potential hazards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, apply to the GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes. These regulations mandate an inspection of the fuel tank selector and fuel shut-off cables to ensure they are not affected by incorrectly crimped cable sheath adjustment sleeves. This inspection is required for all models N22 and N24, with compliance needed within 25 hours of time in service after 22 July 1980. The directive aims to prevent potential detachment of these sleeves under push loads, which could lead to lost motion in the fuel tank selector valves or the fuel shut-off valves, as outlined in GAF Alert SB No. ANMD-28-11. The regulation applies nationally across Australia, ensuring uniform safety standards are met by all operators of these aircraft models within the Commonwealth. There are no specified exclusions or exemptions within the directive, and its application is not extended or restricted by subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 (subsections 39-105.01 to 39-105.17), establish the framework for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft. Under this part, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued various Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure compliance with safety standards. For the GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes, AD/GAF-N22/40 mandates the inspection of fuel tank selector and fuel shut-off cables (subsection 39-105.05). The directive applies to all models N22 and N24, and it was issued in compliance with GAF Alert SB No. ANMD-28-11. The AD/GAF-N22/40 requires operators of the N22 and N24 series aeroplanes to inspect the fuel tank selector and fuel shut-off cables within 25 hours of time in service after 22 July 1980 (subsection 39-105.07). This inspection is crucial because incorrectly crimped cable sheath adjustment sleeves may detach from the cable sheath when push loads are applied to the cable. Such detachments can cause lost motion in the fuel tank selector valves or the fuel shut-off valves, leading to potential safety hazards. Compliance with AD/GAF-N22/40 involves several obligations. Aircraft operators must ensure that the inspection is carried out by qualified personnel and that any necessary repairs or replacements of cables are documented. Operators must maintain records of these inspections and any actions taken (subsection 39-105.09). These records are essential for demonstrating compliance with the AD and must be readily available for inspection by CASA or other authorised personnel. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/GAF-N22/40 may result in significant legal and safety consequences. Under subsection 39-105.13, non-compliance can be considered a breach of the Civil Aviation Regulations. Such breaches may lead to enforcement actions, including fines, enforcement notices, or even the grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The maximum penalty for contravening these regulations can include fines up to $275,000 for corporations and $55,000 for individuals, as outlined in subsection 39-105.15. Additionally, CASA has the authority to prosecute serious breaches, which could result in criminal charges and further penalties.