COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Instruments and Automatic Pilots
AD/INST/41 RAPCO Inline Pressure Filter 11/97 TX
Applicability: All RAPCO Inc. filters, P/N RA-1J4-4, RA-1J4-6 and RA-1J4-7 ( Lot number 05597, 07797 and 12597).
Note: RAPCO filters are installed on but not limited to Cessna 310R, T310R, Beech E33A, F33A, V35A, V35B, 36, A36, 58, 65-B80, 70, 95-B55, D55, E55, Piper PA-31- 300, -325, PA-31P, PA-31P-350, PA-31T and PA-34-200T aircraft.
Requirement: Inspect the in-line pressure filter in accordance with FAA Priority Letter Airworthiness Directive 97-16-10 paras A and B dated July 31, 1997.
Note: FAA Priority Letter AD 97-16-10 dated July 31. 1997 refers. Copies may be obtained from the local CASA DO.
Compliance: Unless previously carried out, within 2 days from the effective date.
Background: The FAA has reported that several RAPCO in-line pressure filter housings that have been produced from the above Lot numbers with applicable P/Ns have cracked in flight. This will cause failure of the aircraft flight instruments and should this occur during IFR flight loss of aircraft control could occur.
Investigation traced the failure to a manufacturing change introduced to RAPCO Filters P/N RA-1J4-4, RA-1J4-6 and RA-1J4-7, from lot numbers 05597, 07797 and 12597, manufactured in February 1997.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 107, mandate the SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The enactment of this legislation was driven by the need to address safety concerns related to specific RAPCO in-line pressure filters installed on various aircraft. These filters, identified by particular part numbers and lot numbers, had exhibited cracking issues in flight, which could lead to failures in aircraft flight instruments, potentially resulting in the loss of control during Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions. This legislative instrument, AD/INST/41, was introduced to ensure the safety of these aircraft by requiring inspections of the affected filters to mitigate the risk of in-flight failures.
The policy objective behind AD/INST/41 is to mandate the inspection of specified RAPCO in-line pressure filters within a strict timeframe to prevent potential hazards. The Australian Government, through CASA, enacted this directive to align with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airworthiness Directive 97-16-10, ensuring that all relevant aircraft are maintained to a standard that safeguards against the risks identified in the manufacturing defects. The requirement to comply with these directives within two days from the effective date underscores the urgency and importance of addressing these safety concerns.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, apply to all RAPCO Inc. in-line pressure filters with part numbers RA-1J4-4, RA-1J4-6, and RA-1J4-7, produced from lot numbers 05597, 07797, and 12597. This legislation mandates the inspection of these filters installed on aircraft such as Cessna 310R, T310R, and various Beech and Piper models, as specified in the regulation. The requirement is to inspect these filters in accordance with the FAA Priority Letter Airworthiness Directive 97-16-10 paras A and B, which was issued on July 31, 1997, due to reported instances of filter housings cracking in flight, potentially leading to failure of aircraft flight instruments and loss of control during IFR flight. The inspection must be conducted within two days from the effective date of the directive unless it has already been performed. The regulation's scope is national, administered under the Commonwealth of Australia by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), and does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions in the provided text.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 107 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD/INST/41) specifically targets RAPCO inline pressure filters, particularly those with part numbers RA-1J4-4, RA-1J4-6, and RA-1J4-7 from lot numbers 05597, 07797, and 12597. These filters are installed on various aircraft models, including Cessna 310R, T310R, Beech E33A, F33A, V35A, V35B, 36, A36, 58, 65-B80, 70, 95-B55, D55, E55, Piper PA-31-300, -325, PA-31P, PA-31P-350, PA-31T, and PA-34-200T. The directive requires these filters to be inspected in accordance with FAA Priority Letter Airworthiness Directive 97-16-10 paragraphs A and B dated July 31, 1997. This inspection must be conducted unless it has already been performed within two days of the directive's effective date. The directive mandates this action due to reports from the FAA of filter housings cracking in flight, which can lead to failure of the aircraft's flight instruments and potentially loss of control during IFR flight.
Entities and parties governed by these regulations must adhere to the requirements set forth in the directive. This includes ensuring that all inspections are carried out on the specified RAPCO inline pressure filters within the stipulated timeframe. The directive also requires that any findings from these inspections be reported to the appropriate authorities. These obligations extend to aircraft operators, maintenance personnel, and any other entities responsible for the maintenance and operation of the affected aircraft models.
Failure to comply with the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and the specific directives outlined in AD/INST/41 can result in severe consequences. The potential for loss of aircraft control due to filter failure is a significant risk, and non-compliance can lead to serious safety hazards. Civil penalties may be imposed for violations of these regulations, and in cases where the failure of a filter leads to an accident, criminal charges could also be applicable. The maximum penalties for such offences can include substantial fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety.