AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/M20/46 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 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.
Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes
AD/M20/46
Amdt 1
Radiant Heat Shield, V-Band Clamp and Hydraulic Poly Line
2/2005
DM
Applicability: Mooney model M20 M series aircraft, serial numbers 27-0001 through 27-0321.
Requirement: 1. Remove the existing radiant heat shield, part number (P/N) 600182-501 (A), and replace with the new radiant heat shield, P/N 600182-501 (B), and install the new heat shield deflector, P/N 600505-001 as per provisions of Mooney Airplane Company Service Bulleting (SB) M20-283A dated 30 March 2004.
2. Remove the existing V-band clamp, P/N 55677-340M or 40D21162-340M, and install the new V-band clamp, P/N NH1009399-10 or 40D23255-340M as per provisions of the SB M20-283A.
3. Modify the hydraulic brake fluid poly line as per provisions of the SB M20- 283A.
Note 1: If you have already incorporated all parts of SB M20-283 dated 03 January 2004, then you only have to replace the tailpipe V-band clamp with the new configuration V-band clamp, P/N NH109399-10 or 40D23255-340M.
Note 2: FAA Airworthiness Directive 2004-23-17 Amdt 39-13872 refers.
Compliance: Unless previously accomplished, within 10 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD.
This Amendment becomes effective on 15 December 2004.
Background: In an incident, a coupling connecting the tail pipe to the turbocharger separated, allowing the hot exhaust gases to impinge on the engine firewall resulting in a fire in the cabin. CASA issued AD/M20/46 referring to FAA AD 91-03-15, requiring replacement of the tailpipe coupling with an improved coupling.
Recently, in a separate incident, a fire erupted in the lower left cockpit area on one of the aircraft incorporating FAA AD 91-03-15. The V-clamp that attaches the exhaust tailpipe to the turbocharger fell off, allowing the exhaust tailpipe to detach from the turbocharger. Hot exhaust gases from the turbocharger outlet blasted the lower left firewall.
Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes
AD/M20/46 Amdt 1 (continued)
The current issue of the AD requires replacement of the existing radiant heat shield with the new improved design heat shield, installation of a new heat shield deflector; replacement of the existing exhaust tailpipe-to-turbocharger V- band clamp with the new design V-band clamp; and modification of the hydraulic brake fluid poly line.
Detachment of V-clamp from the turbocharger and exposure of the firewall to hot exhaust gases may result in an in-flight fire, loss of control of the aircraft and fatalities.
Actions of this AD address the unsafe condition identified above.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 18 April 1991.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 8 December 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 15 December 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) in 2004, amending the previous AD/M20/46, specifically targeting Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 27-0001 through 27-0321. This AD was introduced to address safety concerns identified in two separate incidents involving the Mooney M20 series aircraft. The primary issue was the detachment of the exhaust tailpipe from the turbocharger, leading to hot exhaust gases impinging on the engine firewall and resulting in cabin fires. The directive mandates the replacement of several components, including the radiant heat shield, the V-band clamp, and modifications to the hydraulic brake fluid poly line, as per the Mooney Airplane Company Service Bulletin M20-283A dated 30 March 2004. The directive requires compliance within ten hours of its effective date, 15 December 2004, and references a related Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directive to ensure alignment with international safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/M20/46 Amdt 1 applies specifically to Mooney M20 series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 27-0001 to 27-0321. This directive is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, James Coyne, and it mandates certain modifications to be carried out on these aircraft to address identified safety concerns. The directive requires the replacement of existing components with improved designs to prevent potential fire hazards caused by exhaust gas impingement on the engine firewall. The requirement includes the replacement of the radiant heat shield and heat shield deflector, the replacement of the V-band clamp connecting the exhaust tailpipe to the turbocharger, and modifications to the hydraulic brake fluid poly line. These modifications must be completed in accordance with specified service bulletins and within a stipulated timeframe after the directive's effective date. The directive is applicable nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia and was made effective on 15 December 2004, with compliance required within 10 hours of flight time post this date unless previously accomplished.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/M20/46 Amdt 1 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) sets out specific requirements for Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers 27-0001 through 27-0321 (section 1). This directive mandates the removal and replacement of certain parts to address safety concerns. Firstly, the existing radiant heat shield must be replaced with a new improved design heat shield, accompanied by the installation of a new heat shield deflector (section 2(a)). Secondly, the V-band clamp connecting the tailpipe to the turbocharger must be replaced with a new design V-band clamp (section 2(b)). Lastly, modifications to the hydraulic brake fluid poly line are required (section 2(c)). The compliance period is set within 10 hours of flight time after the effective date of the directive (section 3).
The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators of the Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes covered by this directive. These include ensuring that the specified parts are replaced or modified as per the instructions provided. Operators must follow the detailed procedures outlined in Mooney Airplane Company Service Bulletin (SB) M20-283A dated 30 March 2004 to implement the changes. If the operators have already implemented all parts of SB M20-283 dated 03 January 2004, only the tailpipe V-band clamp needs to be replaced with the new configuration V-band clamp (Note 1). This directive underscores the importance of maintaining the aircraft's airworthiness by addressing potential safety hazards that could lead to in-flight fires or loss of control (section 4).
Failure to comply with the AD may result in significant consequences. The directive underscores the critical nature of these modifications by referencing past incidents where detachment of the V-clamp led to fires and potential fatalities (section 5). While the legislation does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions by CASA, including potential grounding of the aircraft, fines, or other regulatory sanctions. The directive's focus on safety highlights the severe risks associated with not adhering to the specified requirements.