COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Maule M-4 Series Aeroplanes
AD/ML-M4/17 Gascolator and Electric Fuel Pump - Proximity
to Dual Exhaust System
9/96
Applicability: All Maule M-4-210 S/N 1001 to 1045 and M-4-210C S/N 1001C to 1080C aircraft with dual exhaust system 5230F installed.
Requirement: Unless previously carried out action in accordance with Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. SB No 10 dated 9/16/94 (16 September 1994).
Note: FAA AD 96-10-05 Amdt 39-9610 refers.
Compliance: Within 50 hours time in service from 15 August 1996 or by 31 December 1996, whichever occurs first.
Background: When dual exhaust system 5230F has been installed the proximity of the L/H exhaust pipe to the gascolator is too close requiring repositioning.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, introduced by the Parliament of Australia, address various aspects of civil aviation safety, including the implementation of Airworthiness Directives (ADs). The ADs are instrumental in maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft by specifying requirements and compliance timelines to rectify safety issues. Specifically, AD/ML-M4/17 pertains to Maule M-4 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the gascolator and electric fuel pump's proximity to the dual exhaust system. This directive was enacted to address safety concerns arising from the installation of the dual exhaust system 5230F, which, if improperly positioned, could lead to potential hazards. The policy objective is to ensure that all applicable aircraft meet the specified safety standards within the stipulated timeframe to prevent any adverse incidents.
This particular directive applies to all Maule M-4-210 S/N 1001 to 1045 and M-4-210C S/N 1001C to 1080C aircraft equipped with the dual exhaust system 5230F. The requirement is to reposition the gascolator unless the action specified in Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Service Bulletin No 10 dated 16 September 1994 has already been implemented. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 50 hours of time in service from 15 August 1996 or by 31 December 1996, whichever is earlier. The directive references FAA AD 96-10-05 Amendment 39-9610 for additional context and guidance.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Maule M-4-210 and M-4-210C aircraft with serial numbers within the specified ranges and equipped with a dual exhaust system 5230F. This directive is intended to address a safety concern related to the proximity of the left-hand exhaust pipe to the gascolator when this particular exhaust system is installed. The regulation requires corrective action unless the specified previous service bulletin action has already been carried out. Compliance with this directive must occur within 50 hours of time in service from 15 August 1996 or by 31 December 1996, whichever comes first. This directive is applicable on a Commonwealth level and is aimed at ensuring the airworthiness of the specified aircraft models. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the directive itself, although further specifications or conditions may be outlined in subordinate instruments or related safety bulletins.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, mandate safety directives for certain aircraft, including the Maule M-4 Series Aeroplanes. Section AD/ML-M4/17 addresses a critical safety issue concerning the gascolator and electric fuel pump's proximity to the dual exhaust system. This regulation applies to all Maule M-4-210 series aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 1001 to 1045, as well as M-4-210C series aircraft with serial numbers from 1001C to 1080C, provided they are equipped with the dual exhaust system 5230F. This requirement is contingent upon whether the aircraft has already undergone the corrective action outlined in Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. Service Bulletin No 10 dated 16 September 1994.
To comply with this regulation, the directive necessitates that the specified aircraft must undergo a repositioning of the gascolator and electric fuel pump if the proximity to the L/H exhaust pipe is too close. This action must be completed within 50 hours of the aircraft being in service after 15 August 1996, or by 31 December 1996, whichever date is earlier. The regulation references Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 96-10-05 Amendment 39-9610, indicating that it aligns with international safety standards and practices.
Entities governed by this Act, including aircraft operators and maintenance service providers, must ensure that the specified modifications are performed by qualified personnel and documented appropriately. Failure to adhere to these directives can result in significant safety risks, including potential engine failure or fire due to the close proximity of the exhaust system and fuel components. Compliance is not merely a matter of procedural adherence but a critical safety requirement to prevent in-flight hazards.
Breach of these safety directives may lead to severe consequences, both civil and criminal. Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may impose penalties, including fines and operational restrictions on the aircraft, which could lead to grounding until compliance is achieved. From a criminal perspective, non-compliance could result in prosecution under relevant aviation safety laws, leading to substantial fines and potential imprisonment for those responsible for the oversight. The maximum penalties are not explicitly detailed in the text, but they reflect the gravity of endangering public safety through aviation negligence.