AD/ROBIN/14 - Fuel Tank Selector Valve

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) were enacted to provide a regulatory framework for civil aviation in Australia, ensuring safety and efficiency in the aviation industry. One specific legislative instrument, F2006B06611, pertains to Airworthiness Directives under Part 39 - 105, addressing safety issues for particular aircraft models. This instrument was introduced to mitigate risks associated with identified safety concerns in specific aircraft, in this case, the Robin Aviation Series Aeroplanes. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as the enacting body, aims to enforce compliance with international and domestic safety standards through such directives. The policy objective is to ensure that all civil aircraft are maintained in a safe and airworthy condition, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the public. This particular directive, AD/ROBIN/14, mandates a specific inspection requirement for the fuel tank selector valve of all ATL and ATL "S" Series Robin aircraft, in response to an operational incident reported by the manufacturer. The requirement is to follow the technical specifications outlined in DGAC AD 88-050(A) dated 30 March 1988, with reference to Robin SA Service Bulletin No 5. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with an initial inspection due by 22 May 1992, followed by periodic reinspections at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service. The directive underscores the importance of regular and rigorous safety checks to maintain the integrity of the aircraft's fuel system.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertains to the applicability of Airworthiness Directives for aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, and encompasses all ATL and ATL"S" Series Robin aircraft. This legislative instrument mandates compliance with the technical requirements outlined in DGAC AD 88-050(A) dated 30 March 1988, as referenced in Robin SA Service Bulletin No 5. The directive necessitates specific action regarding the fuel tank selector valve, with a compliance deadline of 22 May 1992. Post compliance, reinspection is required at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service, ensuring ongoing adherence to the stipulated safety standards. This regulation applies exclusively to the specified Robin aircraft models within the Australian jurisdiction, with no explicit exclusions or exemptions detailed in the provided text.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 and specifically Section 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Robin Aviation Series Aeroplanes. This particular AD, AD/ROBIN/14, pertains to the fuel tank selector valve of the ATL and ATL"S" Series Robin aircraft (Section 1). The directive mandates that the action taken must align with the technical requirements outlined in DGAC AD 88-050(A) dated 30 March 1988 (Section 2). It also references Robin SA Service Bulletin No 5, which offers additional guidance for compliance (Section 3). This AD imposes specific obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel. Firstly, they must ensure that the inspection and action on the fuel selector valve are performed according to the specified technical requirements of the DGAC AD 88-050(A) (Section 4). Additionally, the directive requires compliance by a certain date, 22 May 1992, and mandates a recurring inspection of the valve at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service (Section 5). These requirements aim to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft by addressing potential issues with the fuel selector valve, which could lead to operational incidents. Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD can result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to enforce the regulations, and non-compliance may lead to penalties or legal actions (Section 6). While the specific penalties are not detailed in the excerpt, it is clear that adhering to these safety directives is critical to avoid potential risks and legal repercussions (Section 7). Ensuring that the required actions are taken and that regular inspections are conducted helps to maintain the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Regulations.