COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) Series Aeroplanes
AD/TB10/23 Fuel Tank Internal Ribs 3/95
Applicability: TB aircraft serial numbers 1038 through 1442, 1444 through 1462, 1464 through
1581, 1583 through 1606, 1608 through 1619, and 1629; and aircraft serial numbers 1 through 1037 on which the tank rib has been repaired since the application of modification No.78.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin 10.084.57.
Note: DGAC AD 94-247(A) refers.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 2 March 1995 or prior to 31 December 1995, whichever occurs first.
Background: Tank sealant has been found obstructing the fuel tank internal rib drain holes. This Directive requires fuel tank internal inspections to ensure the necessary drain holes are clear.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, Section 105, includes an airworthiness directive concerning Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) Series Aeroplanes, issued to address a safety issue identified in the fuel tank internal ribs of these aircraft models. The directive, AD/TB10/23, was enacted to ensure that the fuel tank internal ribs of affected aircraft meet specified safety standards. This was in response to incidents where tank sealant obstructed the fuel tank internal rib drain holes, potentially compromising the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft. The directive mandates inspections and actions in accordance with Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin 10.084.57 and references DGAC AD 94-247(A). Compliance with these directives is required within 100 hours of time in service after 2 March 1995 or before 31 December 1995, whichever comes first. The enactment of these regulations by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority aims to maintain high safety standards within the aviation industry by preventing structural failures that could arise from such issues.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the fuel tank internal ribs. This regulation mandates that aircraft with serial numbers within specified ranges and those that have undergone specific repairs since a particular modification, must comply with Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin 10.084.57. The requirement is to ensure that fuel tank internal inspections are performed to clear any obstructions in the fuel tank internal rib drain holes, as per the referenced DGAC AD 94-247(A). Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following 2 March 1995 or before 31 December 1995, whichever occurs first. The application of this regulation is explicitly limited to the aircraft specified by serial numbers and repair history, without any broader geographic or jurisdictional scope mentioned in the text.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contains the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD) for various aircraft types. In this context, AD/TB10/23 pertains to the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) Series Aeroplanes and mandates actions regarding the fuel tank internal ribs (section 3/95). This directive applies to specific serial numbers of these aircraft, particularly those where the tank rib has been repaired since the application of modification No. 78. The requirement is to follow the actions detailed in Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin 10.084.57, which references DGAC AD 94-247(A). The directive mandates that compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 2 March 1995 or before 31 December 1995, whichever comes first.
The obligations imposed by this directive are specific and stringent. Aircraft operators and owners must ensure that the fuel tank internal ribs are inspected to confirm that any sealant obstructing the drain holes is removed. This inspection must be carried out in accordance with the detailed actions outlined in the referenced service bulletin. The directive is clear that the compliance must be achieved within the specified timeframe, highlighting the importance of timely action to maintain the airworthiness of these aircraft.
Failure to comply with this airworthiness directive can have serious implications. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline various potential consequences for non-compliance with ADs. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance can generally lead to significant civil or criminal consequences. This may include fines, the grounding of the aircraft, and potential legal action against the operators or owners. In severe cases, non-compliance can result in the suspension or revocation of the aircraft’s Certificate of Airworthiness, which would render the aircraft unable to operate legally. It is imperative that all parties governed by this directive adhere to the specified requirements to avoid these severe repercussions.