COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Kitfox Series Aeroplanes
AD/KITFOX/3 Aluminium Fuel Tanks 4/92
Applicability: Models equipped with aluminium fuel tanks.
Requirement: Visually inspect the aluminium fuel tanks for evidence of leakage.
Note: Denney Aircraft Company SB 10 refers.
Compliance: Before and after each flight; until replaced with fibreglass tanks.
Note: This Directive shall be entered on the Maintenance Release as maintenance required. The visual inspection required may be performed by the pilot in command in which case certification is to be made by entering AD/KITFOX/3 against daily inspection certification of the Maintenance Release. A copy of this Airworthiness Directive is to be carried in the aircraft.
Background: Reports have been received of fuel leakage from the leading edge area of in-service six gallon aluminium wing tanks. The manufacturer has instigated a tank conversion program at minimal cost to the operator.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety of civil aviation through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives. One such directive, AD/KITFOX/3, was introduced to address the problem of fuel leakage from the aluminium fuel tanks in Kitfox Series Aeroplanes. This legislation was enacted by the Australian Commonwealth to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft by requiring regular inspections of the specified components. The policy objective is to maintain the airworthiness of these aircraft by preventing fuel leakage, which could potentially lead to dangerous in-flight conditions.
The directive mandates that all Kitfox Series Aeroplanes equipped with aluminium fuel tanks must undergo a visual inspection for leakage before and after each flight, and until the tanks are replaced with fibreglass alternatives. Compliance with this directive is crucial, as it must be documented on the Maintenance Release, and a copy of the Airworthiness Directive must be carried in the aircraft. This regulation aims to enhance the safety of civil aviation by ensuring that potential issues with fuel tanks are identified and rectified promptly.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Airworthiness Directive AD/KITFOX/3 applies specifically to Kitfox Series aeroplanes that are equipped with aluminium fuel tanks. This directive mandates a visual inspection of the aluminium fuel tanks for any evidence of leakage, a requirement which is to be performed before and after each flight until the aluminium tanks are replaced with fibreglass ones. This applies to all such aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, as per the regulations set out in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The directive requires that any inspection be recorded on the Maintenance Release, with compliance noted as maintenance required, and a copy of the Airworthiness Directive must be carried in the aircraft. The directive is rooted in reports of fuel leakage from the leading edge area of in-service six-gallon aluminium wing tanks and aligns with Denney Aircraft Company Service Bulletin 10. This directive does not specify exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but its application can be extended or modified through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, outline specific requirements for the airworthiness of Kitfox Series Aeroplanes, particularly focusing on AD/KITFOX/3 concerning aluminium fuel tanks (section 1). This directive applies to models equipped with such aluminium fuel tanks, requiring operators to visually inspect these tanks for any signs of leakage (section 2). The inspection must be conducted both before and after each flight, continuing until the aluminium tanks are replaced with fibreglass ones (section 3). It is also mandated that the results of this directive be documented on the Maintenance Release as maintenance required (section 4). If the pilot in command performs the inspection, they must certify it on the Maintenance Release by noting AD/KITFOX/3 against the daily inspection certification. Additionally, a copy of this Airworthiness Directive must be carried on board the aircraft (section 5).
Operators and pilots governed by this Act must ensure that the visual inspections of the aluminium fuel tanks are performed diligently before and after every flight. This involves checking for any evidence of leakage in the specified areas of the tanks. Should any leakage be observed, appropriate actions must be taken immediately, which may include repairing the tanks or replacing them with fibreglass versions, as recommended by the manufacturer. Furthermore, it is crucial to record the inspection results on the Maintenance Release, and if the pilot conducts the inspection, they must certify it in the specified manner (section 6). The directive’s copy must be kept on board the aircraft at all times to ensure compliance and safety.
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/KITFOX/3 can result in serious consequences. Operators and pilots must adhere strictly to the stipulated visual inspections and documentation processes. Non-compliance could lead to safety risks, potentially resulting in fuel leakage during flight, which could endanger the aircraft and its occupants. The regulatory framework underscores the importance of these measures, and any breach may be subject to scrutiny and potential enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Although specific penalties are not detailed within the directive, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can generally lead to enforcement actions, fines, and other regulatory consequences under Australian aviation law.