COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Aerospatiale (Socata) TBM 700 Series Aeroplanes
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/TBM 700/24 Fuel Tank Vent Hose 3/2001 DM
Applicability: TBM 700 aircraft with serial numbers 1 through 182 inclusive.
Requirement: Inspect fuel tank vent hoses in accordance with Socata Alert Service Bulletin, TBM 700 No 70-088-28.
Note: DGAC AD 2000-545(A) refers.
Compliance: Within 5 flying hours after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive, but no later than 14 February 2001.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 31 January 2001.
Background: This Directive is prompted by advice that aircraft may have been delivered with non conforming fuel tank vent hoses, which could result in blocking the fuel tank vent system leading to structural damage to the wing skin.
William Ronald Smith
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 January 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 31 January 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, establish comprehensive rules and directives to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia. The enactment of these regulations by the Australian Parliament aims to address safety gaps and ensure that all civil aviation activities comply with stringent safety standards. One such safety measure is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued for the Aerospatiale (Socata) TBM 700 Series Aeroplanes, which was introduced to rectify an unsafe condition related to the fuel tank vent hoses. The directive was necessitated by concerns that non-conforming fuel tank vent hoses could lead to blockages in the vent system, potentially causing structural damage to the aircraft's wing skin. This AD mandates inspections in accordance with a specific service bulletin, ensuring that affected aircraft are brought into compliance within a specified timeframe, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These directives are essential for maintaining safety standards within the aviation industry, and this particular AD/TBM 700/24 pertains to Aerospatiale (Socata) TBM 700 Series Aeroplanes. The directive applies to all TBM 700 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 182 inclusive. It mandates that fuel tank vent hoses must be inspected in accordance with the instructions provided in Socata Alert Service Bulletin, TBM 700 No 70-088-28, to ensure that they do not block the fuel tank vent system, which could lead to structural damage to the wing skin. The directive is effective from 31 January 2001, and compliance is required within five flying hours after this date but no later than 14 February 2001. This Airworthiness Directive is published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, thereby enforcing its applicability across the national jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establishes a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for various aircraft, including the Aerospatiale (Socata) TBM 700 series aeroplanes. This part of the legislation includes AD/TBM 700/24, which addresses issues related to the fuel tank vent hoses. Section 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 empowers the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate to issue such directives to ensure airworthiness. The AD/TBM 700/24 mandates inspections of the fuel tank vent hoses in TBM 700 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 182, inclusive, to prevent structural damage to the wing skin caused by a potential blockage of the fuel tank vent system.
Under AD/TBM 700/24, the primary obligation for aircraft operators is to conduct inspections of the fuel tank vent hoses in accordance with the Socata Alert Service Bulletin, TBM 700 No 70-088-28. This requirement aims to ensure that any non-conforming fuel tank vent hoses, which could lead to blockages, are identified and rectified. Operators must complete these inspections within 5 flying hours after the effective date of the AD, which is 31 January 2001, but no later than 14 February 2001. Compliance with this directive is essential to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and to prevent any potential hazards that could arise from the identified issue.
Failure to comply with the AD/TBM 700/24 could result in significant safety risks, as non-conforming fuel tank vent hoses can lead to blockages that may cause structural damage to the wing skin. Although the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the text of the AD, under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, general provisions exist for penalties associated with non-compliance with ADs. These penalties could include administrative actions, fines, or other enforcement measures that could be imposed by CASA. Ensuring adherence to the AD is therefore critical for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the TBM 700 series aeroplanes.