AD/P68/39 - Fuel Selector Valve

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically address safety regulations within the civil aviation sector. Among these, Part 39, which includes Airworthiness Directives (AD), provides critical safety guidelines and mandates compliance to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive is AD/P68/39, concerning the fuel selector valve of Partenavia P68 series aeroplanes, which was introduced to address the problem of reported loss of a fuel selector keyway key. This directive applies to all P68 series aircraft unless they have previously complied with Partenavia Service Bulletin No 90. The objective of this directive is to mandate compliance before a specified date to mitigate safety risks associated with the identified issue. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued AD/P68/39 to align with the overarching policy objective of maintaining and enhancing aviation safety. The directive references RAI AD 94-014, indicating a coordinated effort to standardise safety measures across relevant jurisdictions. The requirement for compliance prior to 18 February 1994 underscores the urgency and importance of addressing this safety issue to prevent potential operational hazards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, which includes the requirements for Partenavia P68 Series Aeroplanes, particularly concerning the fuel selector valve. This regulation applies to all P68 series aircraft, ensuring they meet specific safety standards to prevent incidents related to fuel selector issues. It is imperative for aircraft owners and operators to adhere to these directives, which mandate compliance with Partenavia Service Bulletin No 90 unless the required action has already been performed. The directive was issued in response to reports of fuel selector keyway issues, referencing RAI AD 94-014 for further guidance, and must be implemented prior to 18 February 1994 to maintain compliance with aviation safety standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. The particular directive in focus here is AD/P68/39, which addresses the fuel selector valve for Partenavia P68 series aeroplanes. This directive was issued on 4th September 1994 and is applicable to all P68 series aircraft unless the action specified in Partenavia Service Bulletin No 90 has already been taken. Additionally, the directive refers to RAI AD 94-014 for further information. The requirement outlined in this directive is that compliance must be achieved before 18 February 1994. The obligations imposed by AD/P68/39 are straightforward yet critical for maintaining airworthiness. Aircraft operators must ensure that the fuel selector valve in their P68 series aeroplanes is either replaced or modified as specified in the directive. This action is mandatory unless the aircraft has already undergone the corrective action described in Partenavia Service Bulletin No 90. The directive mandates that this work be completed prior to the specified deadline of 18 February 1994 to ensure that the aircraft meets the required safety standards set by CASA. Failure to comply with AD/P68/39 can result in serious consequences. Non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions by CASA, which can include fines, penalties, or even the grounding of the aircraft. The precise penalties for breaching this directive are not explicitly stated in the legislative instrument, but under general civil aviation law, the severity of penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance. The potential consequences underscore the importance of adhering to the directive to ensure the safety and compliance of the P68 series aeroplanes in Australian airspace.