AD/TB20/30 - Fuel Tank Internal Ribs

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. One specific regulation within Part 39 is the Airworthiness Directive AD/TB20/30, which targets the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address a problem identified in the fuel tank system of certain Socata aircraft, specifically regarding tank sealant obstructing the internal rib drain holes, which could potentially compromise the safety of the aircraft. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate inspections and necessary actions to clear the drain holes, ensuring compliance within a specified timeframe to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aircraft. Enacted by the Australian Government, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 aim to safeguard the public and enhance the reliability of civil aviation operations. The specific Airworthiness Directive AD/TB20/30 under Part 39 underscores the commitment to addressing identified safety issues promptly, in this case, ensuring that fuel tank internal ribs are free from obstructions that could lead to operational hazards. The requirement to comply with Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin 10.084.57 and the noted reference to DGAC AD 94-247(A) further illustrate the directive's focus on maintaining the highest safety standards in the aviation sector.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, governs the applicability of the Airworthiness Directive AD/TB20/30 concerning Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to aircraft serial numbers within specified ranges and those with repaired tank ribs since the application of modification No.78. It mandates compliance with Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin 10.084.57, which aims to address issues with tank sealant obstructing fuel tank internal rib drain holes. The directive requires fuel tank internal inspections to ensure these drain holes are unobstructed. Compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 2 March 1995 or before 31 December 1995, whichever comes first. This regulation ensures the continued safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft models by addressing identified structural issues. The scope of this regulation is geographically and operationally focused on civil aviation within the Commonwealth of Australia. It applies to specific aircraft models and serial numbers, ensuring that operators and maintenance personnel adhere to the outlined safety directives. The regulation extends its reach through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, enforcing compliance across the aviation industry. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the directive, meaning all applicable aircraft must comply with the specified requirements. The directive’s application may be further detailed or extended through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, include a schedule of airworthiness directives that apply to various types of aircraft, including the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/TB20/30, pertains to the fuel tank internal ribs of these aircraft. This directive (AD/TB20/30) applies to TB aircraft with specific serial numbers (1038 through 1442, 1444 through 1462, 1464 through 1581, 1583 through 1606, 1608 through 1619, and 1629) and to aircraft serial numbers 1 through 1037 that have undergone a tank rib repair since the implementation of modification No.78. The directive mandates that the action required be in accordance with Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin 10.084.57, which includes ensuring that the fuel tank internal ribs are inspected to prevent sealant from obstructing the drain holes. The primary obligation imposed by this directive is that the specified aircraft must undergo an inspection of the fuel tank internal ribs. The directive requires that this inspection be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 2 March 1995 or by 31 December 1995, whichever comes first. This ensures that any potential issues with the tank sealant obstructing the drain holes are identified and rectified promptly. The directive references DGAC AD 94-247(A) for further information on the required inspection procedures. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/TB20/30 could lead to serious consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the legislative instrument, it is known that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in severe penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These penalties can include fines and potential grounding of the aircraft, which can significantly impact the operator's ability to conduct flights. The seriousness of these potential penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the directive to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.