Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, include Part 39, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address specific safety concerns identified in aircraft or aeronautical products. This particular AD, AD/HOSE/7, was introduced to address the unsafe condition identified in Titeflex hose assemblies that failed fire tests under laboratory conditions, thereby posing a potential fire hazard. The AD was issued by CASA under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and aims to ensure the safety of aircraft operations by mandating corrective actions. The directive applies to specific Titeflex hose assemblies used in various aircraft models and engines, requiring inspection and replacement in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) AD 2002-22-12 Amdt 39-12938, with compliance required by 13 December 2006.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive AD/HOSE/7 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) pertains specifically to Titeflex hose assemblies, which are manufactured by Titeflex Corporation and identified by specific part numbers as detailed in Titeflex Corporation Service Bulletin 73-2 dated 27 November 2000. These hose assemblies are subject to mandatory inspections to mitigate potential fire hazards, as they have failed fire tests under laboratory conditions. The directive applies to a range of aeroplane models, including Airbus A300, A310, A340; Boeing 707, 727, 737-200, 737-200C, 747, 757, 767; Bombardier CL-600 1A11; BAe146; McDonnell Douglas DC8 series; Cessna 650; and certain engines such as General Electric CF6-80C; CFM International CFM56-5C; Honeywell ALF502, LF507 series. The inspection requirements must be carried out in compliance with the actions outlined in FAA AD 2002-22-12 Amdt 39-12938 and are to be completed no later than 13 December 2006. This Airworthiness Directive, which became effective on 20 March 2003, ensures that the specified hose assemblies are inspected to address identified safety concerns.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) concern the applicability of the directive, the required action, and the compliance timeline. The applicability section (3) specifies the Titeflex hose assemblies covered by the directive, which includes hoses manufactured by Titeflex Corporation as identified by specific part numbers in Titeflex Corporation Service Bulletin 73-2 dated 27 November 2000. These hoses may be fitted to various aeroplane models such as Airbus A300, A310, A340, Boeing 707, 727, 737-200, 737-200C, 747, 757, 767, Bombardier CL-600 1A11, BAe146, McDonnell Douglas DC8 series, Cessna 650, and engines like General Electric CF6-80C, CFM International CFM56-5C, and Honeywell ALF502, LF507 series. The requirement section (4) mandates that the action must be taken in accordance with FAA AD 2002-22-12 Amdt 39-12938, referencing related ADs from the Netherlands and Italy, and the compliance section (5) states that the action must be completed no later than 13 December 2003. The directive became effective on 20 March 2003. The obligations imposed on the parties governed by this AD include ensuring that the specified Titeflex hose assemblies are inspected and any necessary actions are taken to address any potential fire hazards. This involves following the detailed instructions set out in FAA AD 2002-22-12 Amdt 39-12938, which may include replacing or repairing the hose assemblies. Operators and owners of aircraft equipped with these hoses must ensure that the required actions are carried out within the specified timeline to maintain airworthiness and comply with safety regulations. Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive may result in serious safety risks, as the hoses in question have failed the fire test under laboratory conditions. Non-compliance could lead to severe consequences, including potential in-flight emergencies due to fire hazards. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the AD itself, regulatory breaches under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in substantial fines and legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce compliance and may take actions against operators who fail to adhere to the AD, which could include grounding the aircraft until the required actions are completed. The potential civil and criminal penalties underscore the importance of strict adherence to the directive to ensure the safety of air travel.