Overview

The Airworthiness Directive AD/P68/52, issued in 2002, was enacted to address the safety issue of fuel selector valve control system malfunctions in Partenavia P68 series aeroplanes, which had led to instances of improper fuel system operation and in-flight engine shutdowns. This directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), the regulatory body responsible for ensuring the safety of civil aviation in Australia. The directive aims to mitigate the risk of unsafe conditions by mandating regular inspections and maintenance of the fuel selector valve control system as specified in VulcanAir Service Bulletin SB 113. Compliance with this directive is critical to ensuring the airworthiness of the affected aircraft and safeguarding against potential hazards during flight operations.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to all Partenavia P68 series aircraft. The directive mandates that the fuel selector valve control system of these aircraft must be inspected in accordance with VulcanAir Service Bulletin SB 113, referencing Italian AD 2002-415. The directive requires inspections to be carried out within 50 flight hours or three months from the effective date of the directive, whichever comes first, and thereafter at 100 flight hour intervals. Inspections must also be conducted whenever the cabin fuel selector becomes stiff and difficult to operate, detents indicating correct valve positions are not clearly evident, there are abnormal fuel level readings between tanks not attributable to different engine fuel consumption or evident fuel leakage, or uncommanded fuel transfer between tanks occurs when the aircraft has been parked on an unlevelled surface. This directive became effective on 28 November 2002 and was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 6 November 2002.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/P68/52 issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998 pertains specifically to all Partenavia P68 series aircraft. The directive requires an inspection of the fuel selector valve control system in accordance with VulcanAir Service Bulletin SB 113. This inspection is necessary to address concerns about the fuel selector valve control system malfunctions and improper rigging, which have led to engine shutdowns during flight. The directive references Italian AD 2002-415 for further context. The key requirements of this AD are outlined in the requirement section. Firstly, the inspection must be carried out within 50 flight hours or three months from the effective date of the directive, whichever comes first, unless it has already been completed. Following this initial inspection, inspections must be conducted every 100 flight hours. Additionally, inspections are mandated if specific conditions are observed, such as a stiff cabin fuel selector, unclear detents indicating valve positions, abnormal fuel level readings between tanks, or uncommanded fuel transfer between tanks when the aircraft is parked on an uneven surface. The directive became effective on 28 November 2002, as stated in the compliance section. The AD imposes several obligations on the parties governed by it. Aircraft operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the inspections are performed meticulously as per the specified intervals and conditions. This includes adhering to the instructions detailed in VulcanAir Service Bulletin SB 113. Additionally, operators must maintain records of these inspections to demonstrate compliance with the AD. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in serious safety risks, including potential engine failure in flight, which the directive aims to prevent. Failure to comply with the AD may result in various consequences. While the specific legal penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can generally lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory sanctions. Additionally, non-compliance can result in civil liability for any damages or injuries caused by aircraft malfunctions stemming from the failure to adhere to the AD. In extreme cases, criminal charges may be pursued against individuals responsible for the non-compliance, particularly if it results in significant safety incidents or fatalities.