Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains specifically to Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) series aeroplanes. This legislation was enacted to address the problem of water and contamination in the fuel tanks of these aircraft models, which could compromise flight safety. The objective of the regulations is to mandate regular inspections and modifications to ensure that any water or contamination in the fuel tanks is effectively drained and detected before it can affect the aircraft's operation. This directive was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, reflecting a country of origin Airworthiness Directive, and aims to ensure compliance with safety standards by requiring specific maintenance actions to be performed at certain intervals.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to all aircraft operations within Australian territory, including those conducted by individuals, businesses, and aviation entities. Specifically, the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/TB10/12 Amendment 1 pertains to Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) series aeroplanes and mandates stringent fuel tank inspection and modification protocols. The directive applies to aircraft serial numbers up to 730 for specific fuel tank draining procedures and requires compliance with Socata TB Service Bulletin No. 48 for modifications to ensure water and contamination are effectively drained from the fuel tanks. The compliance requirements are tailored based on the frequency of flights, demanding inspections either within 25 hours of service or before the next flight if a week or more has passed since the last flight. This AD is critical for maintaining the airworthiness of the specified aircraft models and ensuring safety standards are met in line with international civil aviation regulations.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, includes a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) Series Aeroplanes, specifically AD/TB10/12 Amendment 1. This directive applies to the fuel tanks of these aircraft and outlines the actions required to ensure airworthiness (Section 1). Firstly, unless the fuel tanks are modified as per Requirement 2, the aircraft must be positioned in a specific ground attitude: wings level and a nose-down position of about 2 degrees. This is achieved when the height from the ground to the spinner centre equals the height from the ground to the lower part of the rear mooring fitting (Section 1(a)). The aircraft must remain in this attitude for at least 20 minutes before draining fuel from specific points (Section 1(b)-(d)). Additionally, the fuel filler caps must be inspected for any damage and replaced if necessary (Section 1(d)). The obligations imposed by this directive require aircraft owners and operators to adhere to strict maintenance procedures to ensure compliance with the Airworthiness Directive. For aircraft that have not been flown for a week or more, the actions must be taken prior to the next flight after 22 February 1990, and again prior to any subsequent flight after a period of one week or more. For aircraft that fly at periods of less than one week, the actions must be taken within 25 hours of time in service after 22 February 1990, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service (Section 2(1)). Furthermore, the modifications to the fuel tanks must be completed prior to 28 February 1991 (Section 2(2)). The directive mandates that a record of this maintenance must be entered on the Maintenance Release and that the pilot in command may perform the inspection, provided certification is obtained. A copy of the directive must also be carried in the aircraft (Note). Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive may result in severe consequences, including potential safety hazards due to undetected water or contamination in the fuel tanks. The directive does not explicitly state penalties or consequences for non-compliance; however, non-compliance could lead to the aircraft being grounded or deemed unairworthy, potentially resulting in criminal or civil liability under other provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can also result in significant financial penalties and reputational damage for the aircraft operator.