COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes
AD/TB20/35 Fuel System 12/99
Applicability: Model TB20 and TB21 aeroplanes serial numbers 1 to 822, 850 to 889 and 889 to 947 equipped with an engine monitoring cluster at amendment D and having a 14 volt electrical system.
Note 1: This Directive is not applicable to aeroplanes with a 24 volt electrical systems.
Note 2: The amendment D engine monitoring cluster is not a production fit and is only available as a spare. The amendment D cluster may be identified by markings on the engine monitoring cluster identification plate.
Requirement: 1. Install a placard adjacent to the fuel indicator, in accordance with Socata Service Bulletin SB 10-099-28 dated February 1999, stating:
If voltage is lower than 13 VOLTS (below green range), fuel quantity is over-estimated.
2. Incorporate the following amendments in the Flight Manual (Pilots Operating Handbook). This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this Directive in the Flight Manual.
- In SECTION 3 ‘EMERGENCY PROCEDURES’, immediately following the ‘ALTERNATOR FAILURE’ procedure insert:
b. In SECTION 4 ‘NORMAL PROCEDURES’, in ‘PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTIONS’ of the ‘ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS’ procedure, at paragraph ‘a — Cabin’, insert immediately following the entry
‘Fuel gages check’:
c. In SECTION 4 ‘NORMAL PROCEDURES’, in ‘AFTER STARTING ENGINE’ procedure, insert immediately before the entry
‘Fuel selector set to fullest tank’:
Note 3: DGAC AD 1999-062(A) refers.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Compliance: 1. Before 31 December 1999.
2. Before 31 December 1999.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 2 December 1999.
Background: This Directive is issued to ensure that pilots are aware that fuel contents may be over- estimated.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, address a variety of safety concerns related to civil aviation, including the specification of airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aircraft. One such directive, AD/TB20/35, was introduced to address an issue with the fuel system of the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes. Specifically, this directive aims to rectify a potential overestimation of fuel quantity when the electrical system voltage is lower than 13 volts. This was identified as a safety issue necessitating immediate attention, and the directive mandates the installation of a placard near the fuel indicator and amendments to the Flight Manual to inform pilots of the potential discrepancy. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is the enforcing body, with the overarching policy objective of enhancing flight safety by ensuring accurate fuel quantity readings.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandates the implementation of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to maintain safety standards in civil aviation. The particular AD/TB20/35 pertains to Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) series aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers 1 to 822, 850 to 889, and 889 to 947, equipped with an engine monitoring cluster at amendment D and a 14 volt electrical system. Notably, aeroplanes with a 24 volt electrical system are excluded from this directive. This regulation applies to both individuals and entities operating within the Australian jurisdiction, particularly those managing the specified models of Socata aeroplanes. The directive requires the installation of a placard adjacent to the fuel indicator and the inclusion of specific amendments in the Flight Manual (Pilots Operating Handbook), to be completed before the deadline of 31 December 1999. The AD becomes effective from 2 December 1999, underscoring the importance of timely compliance to ensure the safety and operational integrity of the affected aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, outlines the Airworthiness Directives (AD) for the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes. The particular directive AD/TB20/35 pertains to the fuel system of model TB20 and TB21 aeroplanes (section 1). This directive applies to aeroplanes with specific serial numbers and engine monitoring clusters, excluding those with a 24-volt electrical system (section 2). The directive is effective from 2 December 1999, and compliance must be achieved before 31 December 1999.
The main requirements set out in the directive include the installation of a placard near the fuel indicator to inform pilots if the voltage is lower than 13 volts, resulting in an over-estimation of fuel quantity (section 1(a)). Additionally, the Flight Manual must be amended to include specific instructions in the emergency procedures section, pre-flight inspections, and after starting the engine procedures (section 1(b), (c)). These changes are to be implemented by inserting a copy of the directive into the Flight Manual.
The obligations imposed by this AD are primarily on the aircraft operators and owners. They must ensure that the specified placard is installed and that the necessary changes are made to the Flight Manual by the set deadlines (section 3). This involves coordination with the relevant service bulletins and adhering to the directives provided in the AD.
Failure to comply with the AD/TB20/35 could result in civil or criminal consequences, as non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives is taken seriously under civil aviation law. The exact penalties are not specified in the provided text, but generally, non-compliance can lead to fines, aircraft grounding, or other regulatory actions. The directive references DGAC AD 1999-062(A), indicating that there may be further guidance or penalties outlined in related documents.