Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, encompass the Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This legislation was enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia by setting standards and requirements for the airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products. The Airworthiness Directive AD/ROTAX/11, issued on 4 April 2002, addresses the problem of fuel leaks in Rotax 912A, 912F, and 912S series engines, which can potentially lead to engine fires. The directive requires specific actions, including inspecting the fuel pump assembly for cracks, conducting a leak check, and performing an engine test run if the fuel pump or associated plumbing has been disturbed. This directive aims to mitigate unsafe conditions and is part of a broader policy objective to maintain and enhance aviation safety in Australia.

Scope and Application

This legislative instrument pertains to the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, which governs airworthiness directives. The directive applies to aircraft equipped with Rotax 912A, 912F, and 912S series engines that are identified by serial number in Rotax Service Bulletin SB-912-031 and incorporate a Rotax fuel pump assembly part number 996 596. The requirement set forth in this Airworthiness Directive (AD) is aimed at ensuring the safety of these specific aircraft engines by mandating inspections and corrective actions for the fuel pump assembly to prevent fuel leaks, which can potentially cause engine fires. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be carried out within 10 hours of the directive's effective date and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 110 hours of time in service. This legislative instrument has a national reach, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The AD is published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette to ensure wide dissemination and compliance among relevant parties.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for the replacement of fuel pumps in certain Rotax piston engines. This directive, AD/ROTAX/11, applies to the Rotax 912A, 912F, and 912S series engines, identifiable by their serial numbers as listed in Rotax Service Bulletin SB-912-031, and those that incorporate a Rotax fuel pump assembly part number (P/N) 996 596. According to the directive, the aircraft or aeronautical product must undergo an inspection of the fuel pump assembly for cracks and a leak check of the fuel pump assembly. If the fuel pump or associated plumbing has been disturbed during compliance with these checks, an engine test run must also be performed. These actions are to be carried out in accordance with the detailed instructions provided in Rotax Service Bulletin SB-912-031. The AD stipulates that the required actions must be undertaken within 10 hours of the directive's effective date and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 110 hours of time in service. The directive became effective on 18 April 2002. The need for this AD arose from reports of fuel leaks at the Rotax supplied fuel pump and fuel pump hose connections, which could potentially result in an engine fire. Compliance with the AD is mandatory for the specified aircraft and aeronautical products to ensure continued airworthiness. Failure to comply with the AD may result in serious safety hazards and legal consequences. The AD does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance; however, general provisions within the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide for enforcement actions, including fines and potential prosecution for breaches of airworthiness directives. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is empowered to take enforcement actions against non-compliant aircraft operators to ensure adherence to the AD and the overall safety of civil aviation.