AD/M20/43 Amdt 1 - Fuel Tanks - Caps, Tank Bays and Rib Stations

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B11248, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This particular legislation, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the issue of ensuring airworthiness of aircraft by mandating compliance with certain safety directives. The Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes AD/M20/43 Amendment 1 pertains to fuel tanks, their caps, tank bays, and rib stations, aiming to prevent water from becoming trapped within the integral fuel tank wing structure, thus maintaining the integrity and safety of the aircraft. This directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, with the primary policy objective being to enhance aviation safety by mandating regular inspections and necessary actions as outlined in the Mooney Service Bulletins and other referenced FAA directives. The Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes AD/M20/43 Amendment 1 is designed to address specific maintenance requirements for Mooney M20 aircraft, ensuring that fuel filler caps and tank bay structures are inspected and maintained properly. The compliance period mandates that the required actions be taken within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1986 or at the next scheduled inspection, whichever is later. This directive seeks to eliminate any potential safety hazards arising from water trapped within the fuel tank structure, thereby contributing to the overall safety and airworthiness of the aircraft as stipulated by CASA.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), apply to all Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes as specified in the Airworthiness Directive AD/M20/43 Amendment 1. This legislation mandates specific actions regarding the fuel tanks, caps, tank bays, and rib stations of these aircraft, ensuring they adhere to the requirements outlined in Mooney Service Bulletins M20-229 and M20-230 Rev A. This regulatory framework is enforced to maintain safety standards by preventing water from becoming trapped within the integral fuel tank wing structure. The directive is applicable to all models listed in the Requirement Document and necessitates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1986 or at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue, whichever is later. The scope of the Act is explicitly national, extending across the Commonwealth of Australia, and applies to all entities and persons involved in the maintenance and operation of the specified Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for various aircraft, including the Mooney M20 series aeroplanes. Specifically, AD/M20/43 Amendment 1 pertains to the inspection and maintenance of the fuel tanks, caps, tank bays, and rib stations of these aircraft. This directive applies to all models listed in the Requirement Document (section 1). The primary requirement is for aircraft owners and operators to perform actions in accordance with Mooney Service Bulletin M20-229 and Mooney Service Bulletin M20-230 Rev A (section 2(a) and (b)). Additionally, it references FAA AD 85-24-03 Amendment 39-5173 for further guidance. Under this directive, the primary obligation for the parties governed by it is to ensure compliance with the outlined service bulletins and amendments. Specifically, compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1986, or at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue after 31 March 1986, whichever is later (section 3). This timeline ensures that all Mooney M20 series aeroplanes are inspected and any necessary repairs or modifications are made to prevent water from becoming trapped within the integral fuel tank wing structure, which could compromise the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this directive may result in significant legal and safety consequences. Although the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance with this specific directive, failure to adhere to airworthiness directives generally can lead to severe civil and criminal penalties. These may include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, and potential criminal charges if non-compliance results in an aviation accident or incident. Given the critical nature of airworthiness directives, operators must ensure strict adherence to avoid any risk to flight safety and the associated legal repercussions.