COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 Series Aeroplanes
AD/ROCK-114/9 Fuel Tank Access Door Sealant - Replacement 3/80
Applicability: Model 114 with S/Nos. 14000 to 14037, 14039 to 14360 and 14362 to 14499. Model
114A with S/Nos. 14501 to 14512, 14515, 14516, 14518, 14520, 14521, 14523 to
14527 and 14529.
Requirement: Replace fuel tank access door sealant as detailed in Part II of Rockwell International SB No. SB-114-19.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 December 1979.
Background: After long term exposure to aviation fuel the fuel tank access door sealant may break down and cause contamination of the fuel filter and engine fuel system.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses safety concerns for aircraft operated within Australia by establishing directives for airworthiness, including the maintenance and safety measures required for specific aircraft models. The regulation in focus, AD/ROCK-114/9, targets Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 Series Aeroplanes to ensure their operational safety by mandating the replacement of the fuel tank access door sealant. This directive was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to mitigate risks associated with the degradation of the fuel tank access door sealant, which can lead to contamination of the fuel filter and engine fuel system over time. The policy objective is to maintain the integrity of the aircraft's fuel system, thereby ensuring the safety and reliability of the aircraft during flight.
The enactment of this directive by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 aims to safeguard against potential operational hazards that could arise from the degradation of the sealant in the fuel tank access door. By requiring compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1979, the regulation seeks to preemptively address the issue of sealant breakdown, which could otherwise compromise the fuel system's integrity and lead to significant safety risks. This legislative measure is part of a broader framework designed to uphold the highest safety standards in civil aviation within Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which applies to certain aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia. One such directive, AD/ROCK-114/9, pertains to Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 Series Aeroplanes and mandates the replacement of fuel tank access door sealant to prevent contamination of the fuel filter and engine fuel system, which can occur due to the breakdown of the sealant after prolonged exposure to aviation fuel. This directive applies to Model 114 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 14000 to 14037, 14039 to 14360, and 14362 to 14499, as well as Model 114A aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 14501 to 14512, 14515, 14516, 14518, 14520, 14521, 14523 to 14527, and 14529. The requirement for compliance is to replace the sealant within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1979, ensuring the continued airworthiness of these specific aircraft. The scope of the legislation is thus limited to particular models and serial numbers of the Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 Series Aeroplanes, with the directive aiming to maintain safety standards by addressing a specific maintenance issue.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandates the replacement of the fuel tank access door sealant for certain Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 series aeroplanes (Sections 39-105 and AD/ROCK-114/9). This directive applies to Model 114 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 14000 to 14037, 14039 to 14360, and 14362 to 14499, as well as Model 114A aircraft with serial numbers 14501 to 14512, 14515, 14516, 14518, 14520, 14521, 14523 to 14527, and 14529. The replacement of the sealant must be carried out in accordance with the detailed instructions provided in Part II of Rockwell International Service Bulletin SB-114-19.
The primary requirement of this directive is that the fuel tank access door sealant must be replaced within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1979. The rationale behind this requirement is to prevent the breakdown of the sealant, which can lead to contamination of the fuel filter and engine fuel system due to prolonged exposure to aviation fuel. Compliance with this directive is crucial for maintaining the airworthiness and safety of the specified aircraft models.
Entities governed by this Act, such as aircraft operators, maintenance service providers, and other relevant parties, are obligated to ensure that the specified aircraft undergo the required sealant replacement within the stipulated timeframe. This involves adhering to the technical guidelines set forth in Rockwell International Service Bulletin SB-114-19, which includes the proper procedures for removing the old sealant and installing a new one. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in non-compliance with aviation safety standards and could potentially lead to operational issues or safety hazards.
In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state penalties or specific legal consequences for breaching this airworthiness directive. However, non-compliance could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to grounding and potential enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions could include fines, operational restrictions, or other regulatory measures to ensure compliance with aviation safety standards.