AD/P68/24 Amdt 3 - Fuel and Janitrol Lines

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, form a comprehensive regulatory framework aimed at ensuring the safety of civil aviation operations within Australia. Part 39 of these regulations, specifically Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes detailed safety requirements for various aircraft types, including the Partenavia P68 Series Aeroplanes. The specific directive AD/P68/24 Amendment 3 addresses the issue of corrosion in fuel and janitrol lines, particularly those located behind the engine firewalls of certain Partenavia P68 models. This directive mandates regular inspections and, where necessary, the replacement of lines to prevent potential fire hazards and structural damage due to corrosion. The policy objective behind these regulations is to ensure the ongoing airworthiness and safety of the aircraft, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Partenavia P68 series aeroplanes, including models P68C-TC, P68 TC Observer, P68, P68B, P68R, and P68 Observer, with serial numbers as outlined in the directive. This regulation mandates the inspection of fuel and janitol lines behind the engine upper firewalls to ensure that they are free of asbestos fire sleeving and corrosion. The directive also requires inspection of the front face of the spar where these lines are located for signs of corrosion, with actions to be taken according to Partenavia Service Instructions 17, 39, or 40 as applicable. The requirement necessitates inspections if not previously done by 30 May 1996, and subsequent re-inspections at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the lines are replaced with stainless steel lines. Compliance with this directive is essential, and certification of compliance must be recorded in the airframe log book once stainless steel lines have been installed. The regulation extends its applicability to all specified aircraft models and serial numbers, ensuring safety and maintenance standards are upheld across the designated fleet.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandate strict adherence to AD/P68/24 Amendment 3 for Partenavia P68 Series aeroplanes. This amendment applies to a range of model series including P68C-TC up to serial number 375-45-TC, P68 TC Observer with serial numbers 344-01-OTC and 340-02-OTC, and P68, P68B, P68R, P68C, and P68 Observer from serial number 01 up to and including 381 (sections 39-105(1)). The directive requires operators to gain access to the fuel and janitorial (janitrol) system lines located behind the engine upper firewalls. It is imperative that these lines be inspected for the presence of asbestos fire sleeving and any signs of corrosion. Additionally, the front face of the spar where these lines are located must be checked for corrosion. If corrosion is detected, appropriate action should be taken as outlined in Partenavia Service Instructions 17, 39, or 40, as applicable. If stainless steel lines have been installed and no corrosion is found on the wing spar, compliance with this directive can be certified as a terminating action. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and require operators to ensure that inspections are conducted if the lines have not been previously inspected, and the inspection must be completed by 30 May 1996. Subsequent to this initial inspection, the lines must be re-inspected at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the fuel and janitrol lines have been replaced with stainless steel lines. It is also necessary to document compliance by entering a certification in the airframe log book once stainless steel lines have been installed. This systematic approach ensures that the aircraft's integrity is maintained and potential safety hazards are mitigated. Failure to comply with the requirements stipulated in AD/P68/24 Amendment 3 may lead to significant civil or criminal consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly state the specific penalties for non-compliance with this directive, but generally, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in substantial fines and potential criminal charges. The severity of the penalty would depend on the degree of non-compliance and the risk posed to aviation safety. Operators are therefore urged to adhere strictly to the outlined inspection and certification procedures to avoid any legal repercussions.