COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Lancair Series Aeroplanes
AD/LANCAIR/2 Fuel Tanks 2/95 DM
Applicability: Aircraft assembled from Avtex manufactured assembly kits. Requirement: 1. Open all fuel tanks and inspect for:
- sealant contamination/deterioration;
b. excessive sealant, and/or sloshing compound or any other contaminants in the fuel tank;
c. fuel strainer contamination.
2. In conjunction with a person authorised pursuant to CAR 35, inspect the closure panels and the attaching structure and hardware to ensure suitability for the purpose; modify as necessary, and/or reseal, in accordance with a scheme acceptable to the Authority. Flow test fuel system.
Note: Notwithstanding any Airworthiness Authority issued to a builder, this inspection is to be carried out and certified by a LAME licensed in the appropriate categories; i.e. Airframe Groups 1 & 7.
Compliance: Prior to further flight after 7 December 1994 or prior to the issue of a Certificate of Airworthiness whichever occurs first.
Background: Reports have been received of deteriorating sealant and contaminated fuel tanks and strainers. It has also been reported that the tank access panel, retention system and substructure may not comply with the build standard approved for this aircraft by the Authority.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B11085, specifically address the issue of fuel tank safety in Lancair Series Aeroplanes through the Airworthiness Directive AD/LANCAIR/2. This directive was enacted to respond to reports of deteriorating sealant, contaminated fuel tanks and strainers, and potential non-compliance of the tank access panels and retention systems with the approved build standards. The Australian Parliament, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, established these regulations to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of aircraft by mandating rigorous inspections and modifications to fuel tanks. The policy objective behind this legislation is to prevent any potential in-flight failures that could arise from these identified issues, thereby safeguarding both passengers and crew. The directive requires inspections to be carried out by a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer within specified categories, ensuring compliance with stringent safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 and the Airworthiness Directives for Lancair Series Aeroplanes, mandate stringent inspection requirements for fuel tanks of aircraft assembled from Avtex manufactured assembly kits. This directive applies to all aircraft of the Lancair Series that have been assembled using Avtex kits and were manufactured after 7 December 1994. The regulation requires that these aircraft undergo a thorough inspection of their fuel tanks to check for issues such as sealant contamination or deterioration, excessive sealant, sloshing compounds, or other contaminants, as well as contamination of the fuel strainer. Additionally, the closure panels and their attaching structure and hardware must be inspected, modified, and resealed as necessary to meet the standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Compliance with these directives is mandatory, with inspections needing to be conducted prior to the aircraft's further flight after 7 December 1994 or prior to the issue of a Certificate of Airworthiness, whichever occurs first. These inspections and certifications must be performed by a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME) who holds the appropriate licences in Airframe Groups 1 and 7. This ensures that all fuel tanks and related components are in a safe and compliant condition, mitigating the risks associated with deteriorating sealants and contaminated fuel systems.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, establish stringent safety standards for aircraft, including detailed directives for the maintenance and inspection of aircraft components. In this context, AD/LANCAIR/2 focuses on the fuel tanks of Lancair Series Aeroplanes assembled from Avtex manufactured assembly kits (section 1). The directive mandates a thorough inspection of these fuel tanks, which must be conducted by a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME) licensed in the appropriate categories (section 2). The inspection involves checking for several specific issues: the presence of sealant contamination or deterioration, excessive sealant or other contaminants such as sloshing compound, and contamination of the fuel strainer (section 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c)). Additionally, the closure panels, attaching structure, and hardware must be inspected to ensure they meet the necessary standards, with any required modifications or resealing to be carried out in accordance with a scheme acceptable to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (section 2(d)).
The obligations imposed by AD/LANCAIR/2 are quite specific and require adherence to several detailed procedures to ensure compliance. The inspections must be performed by a qualified LAME who is licensed in Airframe Groups 1 and 7, ensuring that the engineer possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct such inspections effectively (section 2). Furthermore, these inspections must be completed prior to the aircraft undertaking any further flights after 7 December 1994 or prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Airworthiness, whichever comes first (section 3). This ensures that all Lancair Series Aeroplanes meet the safety requirements before they are allowed to fly.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in AD/LANCAIR/2 can result in serious consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the excerpt, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can lead to a variety of enforcement actions by CASA. These actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges in cases of gross negligence or willful disregard for safety regulations. The penalties can be substantial, reflecting the critical importance of adhering to these safety directives to ensure the safety of all persons on board and the integrity of the aircraft.