COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes
AD/MU-2/3
Amdt 1
Integral Fuel Vent Check Valve 5/97
Applicability: All model MU-2B, MU-2B-10, MU-2B-15, MU-2B-20 and MU-2B-30 aircraft S/N 004 through 035, 037, 038, 101 through 230, 502 through 525 and 527 through 547.
Requirement: Remove the vent check valve assembly in accordance with Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin No 130A dated July 19, 1971.
Note: FAA AD 97-04-13 Amdt 39-9938 refers.
Compliance: Unless previously carried out, at the next 100 hour inspection or by 31 December, 1997, whichever occurs first.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 24 April 1997.
Background: Initial Directive, raised in July 1971, was based on Mitsubishi SB 130. The directive was raised to mandate compliance with the manufacturers SB after advice that an incorrectly fitted fuel cap could prevent fuel transfer and could result in loss of engine power.
Amendment 1 is raised to add the additional S/N aircraft per Mitsubishi SB 130A. The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 31 May 1971.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, are designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, Part 39, which includes Airworthiness Directives, was established to address problems and gaps in aircraft safety standards. One such directive, AD/MU-2/3 Amendment 1, pertains to Mitsubishi MU-2 Series aeroplanes and aims to rectify an issue with the integral fuel vent check valve. This amendment responds to the problem identified in Mitsubishi Service Bulletin No 130A, which highlighted that an incorrectly fitted fuel cap could prevent fuel transfer, potentially leading to loss of engine power. The objective is to ensure compliance by requiring the removal of the vent check valve assembly for specified aircraft models and serial numbers, to be completed by the next 100-hour inspection or by 31 December 1997, whichever comes first. This directive underscores the regulatory commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically Airworthiness Directive AD/MU-2/3 Amendment 1, pertains to the Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes, including model numbers MU-2B, MU-2B-10, MU-2B-15, MU-2B-20, and MU-2B-30, with serial numbers ranging from 004 to 035, 037 to 038, 101 to 230, 502 to 525, and 527 to 547. This directive applies to aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia and mandates the removal of the integral fuel vent check valve assembly in accordance with Mitsubishi's Service Bulletin No 130A dated July 19, 1971. The compliance requirement necessitates that the specified action be completed either during the next 100-hour inspection or by 31 December 1997, whichever comes first. This amendment was introduced to address potential issues related to fuel transfer that could result in loss of engine power, with the directive becoming effective from 24 April 1997. This legislation extends to all relevant aircraft within the specified serial numbers and does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, unless otherwise stated in subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive AD/MU-2/3 Amendment 1, dated 5 September 1997, specifies the removal of the integral fuel vent check valve assembly (Section 1). This requirement applies to all MU-2B, MU-2B-10, MU-2B-15, MU-2B-20, and MU-2B-30 aircraft with specific serial numbers (Section 2). The directive mandates that the vent check valve assembly be removed in accordance with Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin No 130A dated 19 July 1971 (Section 3). This action must be taken at the next 100-hour inspection or by 31 December 1997, whichever comes first (Section 4). The Airworthiness Directive became effective on 24 April 1997 (Section 5).
The Act imposes specific obligations on the operators and owners of the affected Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes. Operators must ensure that the removal of the vent check valve assembly is carried out as specified in Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin No 130A (Section 6). This directive must be implemented at the next scheduled 100-hour inspection or by the specified deadline, whichever occurs first (Section 7). Operators must also maintain records of compliance with this Airworthiness Directive (Section 8). Owners and operators must adhere to the provisions of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to ensure the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft (Section 9).
Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive may result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline the potential civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance (Section 10). The Civil Aviation Act 1988 stipulates that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to fines and imprisonment (Section 11). The maximum penalty for contravening these provisions may include fines up to $216,000 for individuals and $1,080,000 for corporations, as well as imprisonment for up to five years (Section 12). Additionally, the operator of the aircraft may face suspension or revocation of their air operator's certificate, which could result in the grounding of the aircraft (Section 13).