AD/M20/48 - M20R Exhaust System

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address the need for airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aircraft operations within Australia. This legislation was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to fill the gap in safety standards and to ensure that aircraft meet the necessary criteria for safe operation. The Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes AD/M20/48 exhaust system directive, issued in 1995, is one such measure aimed at addressing the problem of exhaust system cracks in Mooney M20R aircraft, which had been reported in thirteen instances, some with as little as 8 hours of service time. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate regular inspections and necessary actions to mitigate the risk of structural failure in the exhaust systems of these aircraft, thereby enhancing aviation safety. The directive references FAA Airworthiness Directive 95-07-04 and stipulates that the replacement of the exhaust system, as per Mooney Aircraft Corporation Retrofit Kit Instructions 940095-501-1, terminates the requirements of this directive.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, apply to Mooney M20R Series Aeroplanes as listed by serial number in Mooney Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin M20-257 Revision B. This legislation targets aircraft that have not installed an improved exhaust system in accordance with Mooney Aircraft Corporation Retrofit Kit Instructions 940095-501-1. The scope of this regulation is to mandate a repetitive inspection of the exhaust system for evidence of cracks due to multiple reports of such incidents. The directive is effective from 22 June 1995 and requires compliance within 5 hours of time in service and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 5 hours time in service. The replacement of the exhaust system in accordance with the specified retrofit kit instructions terminates the requirements of this directive. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, as it pertains to civil aviation within Australia, governed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are no explicit exclusions or exemptions mentioned in the text, though the directive ceases to apply once the specified retrofit is implemented. This legislative instrument may extend or restrict application through subordinate instruments, ensuring that the regulations remain current and effective in addressing safety concerns.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation, specifically Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, mandate that all Mooney M20R aircraft, which are not equipped with an improved exhaust system installed per Mooney Aircraft Corporation Retrofit Kit Instructions 940095-501-1, must comply with the requirements set forth in Mooney Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin M20-257 Revision B (sections 1-2). This directive applies to aircraft identified by serial numbers listed in the aforementioned service bulletin. The primary requirement is that the exhaust system of these aircraft must be inspected for cracks and maintained according to the specified guidelines to ensure airworthiness. The obligations imposed by this legislation on the relevant parties include conducting regular inspections of the exhaust systems in accordance with the service bulletin mentioned (section 2). These inspections must be performed within 5 hours of time in service and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 5 hours of time in service (section 3). The replacement of the exhaust system in line with the retrofit kit instructions is considered the final action required to meet the directive’s compliance (section 4). The directive was issued following reports of exhaust system cracks in Mooney M20R aircraft, even those with as little as 8 hours of service time, underscoring the necessity of these inspections to prevent further incidents. In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 stipulate that failure to adhere to the requirements set forth in this directive may lead to enforcement actions. While specific penalties are not detailed within this excerpt, breaches of airworthiness directives can typically result in severe civil or criminal penalties under Australian aviation law. These may include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, and other legal actions as deemed appropriate by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The effective date for compliance with this directive is set at 22 June 1995, and it is imperative that all operators and owners of affected aircraft ensure strict adherence to avoid potential repercussions.