AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ROTAX/20 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Rotax Piston Engines
AD/ROTAX/20
Amdt 1
Exhaust Muffler Inspection 12/2004
Applicability: | a. | Rotax 914 F series aircraft engines with serial numbers (S/N) 4,420.373, 4,420.374, 4,420.376, and 4,420.378 up to 4,420.391 inclusive, and 4,420.393, 4,420.394, 4,420.396, 4,420.397 and 4,420.399 up to 4,420.406 inclusive, with exhaust muffler part number (P/N) 979402 installed. |
| b. | Rotax 914 F series engines from S/N 4,420.407 onwards with exhaust muffler P/N 979402 or P/N 979404 installed. |
| c. | Exhaust muffler P/N 979402 with S/N 02.0001 up to S/N 02.0322 inclusive and S/N 03.0001 up to 03.0108 inclusive. |
| d. | Exhaust muffler P/N 979404 from 03.0200 onwards. |
Requirement: | 1. | Visually inspect the exhaust muffler exterior for smoke traces or cracks in accordance with Rotax mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) SB-914-028 dated March 2004 or later revision as approved by Austrian ACG or EASA. |
| 2. | Replace any exhaust muffler that is found to have smoke traces or cracks, with an exhaust muffler that is serviceable and not affected by provisions of this directive. |
Note 1: Airworthiness Directive A-2004-005 R1 published by Austrian ACG and approved by EASA under reference no 2004-10151 dated 5th October 2004 refers.
Compliance: 1. Unless previously accomplished, with-in 50 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this directive, and thereafter every 50 flight hours.
2. Before further flight.
Note 2: Installation of an exhaust muffler that is approved by the manufacturer and is not affected by the provisions of this directive is considered terminating action to the requirements of this AD.
This Amendment becomes effective on 25 November 2004.
Rotax Piston Engines
AD/ROTAX/20 Amdt 1 (continued)
Background: The initial issue of this directive addressed the unsafe condition caused by the occurrences of cracks in the area of exhaust muffler bottom and exhaust flange. The leaking hot exhaust gases can cause fire.
This amendment addresses the same unsafe condition but with the expanded applicability list. This amendment also mandates repetitive inspection at regular intervals.
The original issue of this directive became effective on 27 November 2003.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 14 October 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 3 November 2004.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) aims to ensure the safety of aircraft in Australian airspace by addressing potential unsafe conditions in specific aircraft components. The AD/ROTAX/20 Amendment 1 specifically targets Rotax 914 F series aircraft engines, mandating detailed inspections and replacements of exhaust mufflers to prevent the risk of fire due to cracked mufflers or smoke traces. This directive was introduced to address a known issue of exhaust muffler cracks in certain Rotax engines that could lead to the leakage of hot exhaust gases, posing a significant fire hazard. The AD requires inspections and necessary replacements of affected mufflers at specified intervals, ensuring the ongoing airworthiness of these aircraft engines and thereby enhancing the safety standards within Australia's aviation sector.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ROTAX/20 Amdt 1 applies specifically to Rotax 914 F series aircraft engines with certain serial numbers and exhaust muffler part numbers, including those with exhaust muffler part number (P/N) 979402 installed in the specified serial number ranges and those with P/N 979404 from a certain serial number onwards. This AD mandates that the exhaust muffler exterior must be visually inspected for smoke traces or cracks as per the Rotax mandatory Service Bulletin SB-914-028 dated March 2004 or later revisions approved by Austrian ACG or EASA. Any exhaust muffler found to have smoke traces or cracks must be replaced with a serviceable one that is not affected by the provisions of this directive. The AD is issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998 by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies within the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive requires inspections to be conducted within 50 hours time-in-service after the effective date and thereafter every 50 flight hours, or before further flight if the 50-hour interval has not elapsed. This AD revokes the previous AD/ROTAX/20 and becomes effective on 25 November 2004, addressing the unsafe condition of cracks in the exhaust muffler area that can lead to fire hazards due to leaking hot exhaust gases.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ROTAX/20 Amdt 1, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, specifically addresses safety concerns related to exhaust mufflers on certain Rotax 914 F series aircraft engines. Section 1(a) of the AD applies to Rotax 914 F series aircraft engines with specified serial numbers and exhaust muffler part numbers, as well as exhaust mufflers with particular serial numbers. The directive requires the inspection and replacement of exhaust mufflers to ensure airworthiness (section 1(b)). The requirement is for the visual inspection of the exhaust muffler exterior for any smoke traces or cracks, in accordance with Rotax mandatory Service Bulletin SB-914-028 or a later revision approved by Austrian ACG or EASA (section 1(b)(1)). Any exhaust mufflers found to have smoke traces or cracks must be replaced with a serviceable muffler not affected by the provisions of this directive (section 1(b)(2)). The compliance section mandates that inspections must be conducted within 50 hours of time-in-service after the effective date of this directive, and then every 50 flight hours (section 1(c)(1)). Additionally, inspections must occur before further flight (section 1(c)(2)).
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties involved. Firstly, the owners and operators of affected aircraft must ensure that the specified inspections and replacements are conducted in accordance with the directive's requirements. This includes maintaining records of inspections and any replacements performed (section 1(b)(1)). Secondly, any personnel conducting inspections and repairs must be qualified and adhere to the instructions outlined in the directive and approved service bulletins (section 1(b)(2)). The AD also requires that the CASA delegate be notified of any non-compliance or significant safety issues arising from the directive (section 1(c)).
Failure to comply with the AD may result in civil and criminal consequences. Section 1(c) of the AD states that any violations of its requirements could lead to enforcement actions by CASA. Under Australian law, particularly the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with ADs can lead to substantial penalties. For example, the maximum penalty for failing to comply with an AD could be a fine of up to $21,000 for individuals and $105,000 for corporations, as outlined in section 91 of the Act. Additionally, the AD could result in the grounding of aircraft until compliance is achieved, which would further impact operations and potentially lead to further financial penalties for the operators.