AD/TB10/15 - Oil Cooler Inlet And Outlet Elbows

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, was enacted to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia. This legislative instrument, which was created under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, aims to address specific safety concerns associated with certain aircraft models. One such concern is addressed by Airworthiness Directive AD/TB10/15, which pertains to Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) Series Aeroplanes, targeting the issue of leakage from the oil cooler inlet and outlet elbows, which can lead to total engine oil loss. The directive requires compliance with Socata Service Bulletin NR 50-1 and references DGAC AD 90-143(A), mandating corrective action before 31 January 1991. This directive is essential in mitigating the risk of engine failure due to oil loss, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation within Australia. The enacting body responsible for the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 is the Australian Parliament, which established the framework to ensure that all civil aviation operations adhere to stringent safety standards. The policy objective behind AD/TB10/15 is to ensure that all Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 aircraft are maintained in a safe and airworthy condition by addressing specific mechanical issues that could compromise flight safety. By mandating specific actions to rectify the identified problem, the regulation aims to prevent potential accidents and ensure the reliability and safety of the aircraft in operation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's regulations, specifically Part 39 - 105, apply to all model TB9 and TB10 aircraft in relation to oil cooler inlet and outlet elbows. This directive, as set out in AD/TB10/15, mandates action in accordance with Socata Service Bulletin NR 50-1 to address the risk of leakage from these components, which has been known to result in total engine oil loss. The regulation references DGAC AD 90-143(A) and requires compliance by 31 January 1991. This regulation applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, governed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and there are no stated exclusions or exemptions from the requirements outlined. The application of this directive is not extended or restricted through subordinate instruments but is specifically targeted at ensuring the airworthiness of the affected aircraft models by mandating corrective actions to prevent potential engine failure due to oil loss.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a schedule of airworthiness directives which govern the maintenance and safety standards for various aircraft. One such directive is AD/TB10/15, which applies to the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) series aeroplanes. This directive mandates action in accordance with Socata Service Bulletin NR 50-1 (Section 1) and references DGAC AD 90-143(A). The directive requires all model TB9 and TB10 aircraft to address leakage from the oil cooler inlet and outlet elbows, which has been identified as a cause of total engine oil loss. Compliance with this directive must be achieved prior to 31 January 1991. Under this legislation, operators and owners of the affected aircraft must ensure that the specified maintenance actions are undertaken to prevent the identified risk of engine oil loss due to leaks in the oil cooler system. This involves following the detailed instructions provided in Socata Service Bulletin NR 50-1, which likely includes specific inspection, repair, or replacement procedures for the inlet and outlet elbows of the oil cooler system. The obligation falls on the aircraft operator to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft by adhering to the requirements set forth in the directive. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/TB10/15 could result in severe consequences, including potential safety hazards during flight. The legislation does not explicitly detail the specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance within the provided excerpt; however, general provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 may apply. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally constitutes an offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, and can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates of airworthiness, and other regulatory penalties as determined by CASA. The maximum penalties for such offences can be significant, reflecting the importance of maintaining the highest safety standards in aviation.