COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/HU 369/104 Fuel Hose Connections 7/2000
Applicability: Model MD600N helicopter S/N RN003 to RN045.
Requirement: Inspect and verify that the internal fuel hose connections have been properly installed in accordance with either Method A or Method B as detailed in the Accomplishment Instructions of MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB 600N-025 dated July 2, 1999.
Note: FAA AD 2000-04-21 Amendment 39-11604 refers.
Compliance: Unless previously accomplished, within 100 hours time in service from the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 13 July 2000.
Background: The manufacturer has advised that some fuel system hoses can inadvertently be crossed during installation. This will result in fuel starvation and subsequent engine flame out despite the fuel gauge reading above 0 and the fuel low level light not illuminated.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 30 May 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 June 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, are fundamental in ensuring the safety and operational integrity of aircraft within Australian airspace. This legislation, specifically Part 39, includes a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives that addresses safety concerns and mandates corrective actions to prevent unsafe conditions. One such directive, AD/HU 369/104, was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address an issue with McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters. The problem identified was the potential for fuel system hoses to be improperly installed, leading to fuel starvation and engine failure, despite normal fuel gauge readings. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure that these helicopters are maintained in a safe and airworthy condition by requiring specific inspections and corrective actions to be taken within a specified timeframe. This directive became effective on 13 July 2000, reinforcing the commitment of the Australian government to maintain high safety standards in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all relevant stakeholders in the aviation industry, including aircraft manufacturers, operators, and maintenance service providers. This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to the McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters, specifically those with serial numbers RN003 to RN045. The AD mandates the inspection and verification of the internal fuel hose connections to ensure they are properly installed, as per the specified methods in MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB 600N-025. This requirement must be completed within 100 hours of the AD’s effective date, which is 13 July 2000. This regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring a uniform approach to airworthiness standards and safety across all jurisdictions. The directive does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, thereby applying uniformly to all specified aircraft within the stated parameters.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39, Section 105, establish detailed requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft through Airworthiness Directives (ADs). For instance, AD/HU 369/104, effective from 13 July 2000, applies to McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters, specifically those with serial numbers RN003 to RN045. This directive mandates that internal fuel hose connections must be inspected and verified to ensure they are properly installed as per Method A or Method B, detailed in MD Helicopters Service Bulletin SB 600N-025 dated 2 July 1999. The directive requires this action to be taken within 100 hours of the AD's effective date unless it has already been accomplished. These provisions are essential to maintaining the safety of the aircraft by preventing fuel starvation and engine flame out.
The obligations imposed by this Airworthiness Directive on the aircraft operators or owners are clear and specific. They must ensure that the inspection and verification of the internal fuel hose connections are performed meticulously according to the outlined methods in the service bulletin. Failure to comply with the AD could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which would prevent it from operating until the necessary inspections and repairs are completed. This requirement underscores the importance of adhering to detailed procedural standards to avoid any potential safety hazards.
Breaching the obligations set forth in the Airworthiness Directive can lead to serious consequences. While the specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance generally results in the aircraft being grounded, which could disrupt operations and potentially incur financial penalties. Additionally, the AD references FAA AD 2000-04-21 Amendment 39-11604, indicating that the directive is part of a broader regulatory framework. Violations could also lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which could include fines, penalties, or other regulatory sanctions. The severity of these consequences highlights the importance of strict adherence to the AD's requirements to ensure the safety of flight operations.