AD/ML-M5/6 - Auxiliary Fuel Tank Venting - Inspection, Testing and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, aims to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. A specific legislative instrument, F2006B11303, addresses the problem of auxiliary fuel tank vent line check valves in Maule M-5 series aeroplanes being incorrectly assembled, potentially rendering them ineffective. This issue was identified through Maule aircraft Service Bulletin No. 6, which prompted the need for an Airworthiness Directive to mandate inspections, testing, and modifications of the vent systems on specified aircraft models. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring that all affected aircraft are compliant with the required safety standards within 100 hours of time in service after the directive's issuance on 30 June 1984.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to Airworthiness Directives which apply to certain aircraft models to ensure their continued safety and airworthiness. This particular legislative instrument, AD/ML-M5/6, focuses on Maule M-5 Series Aeroplanes, mandating inspections, testing, and modifications to the auxiliary fuel tank venting systems. The directive applies to specific models and serial numbers of Maule aircraft equipped with auxiliary fuel tank vent line check valves, including M-5-180, M-5-20, M-5-21-TC, and M-5-235C, as well as any aircraft retrofitted with such check valves. The directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service following 30 June 1984. The scope of this regulation is explicitly limited to the aforementioned aircraft models and serial numbers, ensuring that the auxiliary fuel tank vent line check valves are correctly assembled and that modifications are made to revert “STANT” fuel caps to the vented type. This regulation underscores the importance of adherence to specified safety measures within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that the aircraft meet stringent safety standards as mandated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in PART 39 - 105, pertain to Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). In this context, AD/ML-M5/6 concerns the Maule M-5 Series Aeroplanes and requires inspections, testing, and modifications to the auxiliary fuel tank venting system (s. 39-105). The directive applies to certain models and serial numbers of Maule aircraft equipped with auxiliary fuel tank vent line check valves (s. 39-105(1)). Compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1984 (s. 39-105(2)). The Act imposes several obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Primarily, it mandates that aircraft owners or operators ensure the auxiliary fuel tank vent line check valves are correctly assembled and functional (s. 39-105(3)). This involves inspecting the vent line check valves to confirm their effectiveness, testing them as specified, and making any necessary modifications to ensure proper venting (s. 39-105(4)). Additionally, aircraft retrofitted with auxiliary fuel tank vent line check valves must also comply with the requirements set out in Maule aircraft S.B. No. 6 (s. 39-105(5)). Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/ML-M5/6 can result in significant consequences. While specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed within the provided text, the overarching legal framework of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 implies potential enforcement actions. Non-compliance could lead to regulatory action against the aircraft owner or operator, including fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The severity of these consequences aligns with the critical nature of ensuring the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft in question.