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 CASR 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.
Thielert Piston Engines
AD/THIELERT/2 Detachment of HP Fuel Pump Mounting Bolts
1/2005
DM
Applicability: All Thielert TAE125-01 Model Engines equipped with High Pressure (HP) Fuel Pumps:
a. Part Numbers (P/N) 02-7310-04005R3 and 02-7310-04005R4 with S/N’s listed on page 3 of the manufacturer’s Service Bulletin (SB) No. TAE 125- 0009 R1 dated 29 October 2004; and
b. P/N 02-7310-04005R2; and
c. All High Pressure Pumps with a P/N beginning with “A”.
Requirement: 1. For HP Pumps P/N 02-7310-04005R3 and P/N 02-7310-04005R4 with S/Ns listed on page 3 of SB TAE 125-0009 R1, secure the pump mounting bolts with Loctite 243 Blue, medium strength Threadlocker as per provisions of the SB.
2. Replace all HP Fuel Pumps P/N 02-7310-04005R2.
3. Replace all HP Fuel Pumps with a P/N beginning with “A”.
Note: German LBA Airworthiness Directive D-2004-473 dated 14 November 2004 as approved by EASA reference No 2004-10850 dated 04 November 2004 refers.
Compliance: Unless previously accomplished, within the next 20 flight hours or within the next 30 calendar days after the effectivity date of this Directive, whichever occurs first.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 24 November 2004.
Background: Mounting bolts of HP Fuel Pumps have been found detached due to insufficient locking of the affected bolts. In one case a significant fuel leakage at the fuel pump occurred shortly before take-off of the aircraft.
Loosening of fuel pump mounting bolts can result in fuel leakage, engine fire and / or loss of engine power because of the fuel starvation.
Thielert Piston Engines
AD/THIELERT/2 (continued)
The actions specified in this Airworthiness Directive are intended to correct the identified unsafe condition.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 17 November 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 24 November 2004.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive Thielert Piston Engines AD/THIELERT/2 was issued in 2004 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address an identified safety issue with certain models of Thielert TAE125-01 engines. This legislation was enacted to mitigate risks associated with the detachment of high-pressure fuel pump mounting bolts, which had led to incidents of fuel leakage, potential engine fires, and loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. The directive mandates specific corrective actions to secure the bolts using a medium strength threadlocker and replace certain high-pressure fuel pumps. The objective of this directive is to ensure the continued safe operation of the affected aircraft by enforcing timely compliance with the specified maintenance actions.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/THIELERT/2 applies to all Thielert TAE125-01 model engines equipped with High Pressure (HP) Fuel Pumps that meet the specified part numbers and serial numbers detailed in the directive. These engines are typically found in certain aircraft where these engines are installed. The directive is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority granted by the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. The directive is applicable within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive mandates specific actions to correct an identified unsafe condition involving the detachment of HP fuel pump mounting bolts, which has been found to potentially cause significant issues such as fuel leakage, engine fire, or loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Compliance with the directive is mandatory for the specified engines and must be achieved within 20 flight hours or 30 calendar days from the directive's effective date, whichever comes first. The directive does not exclude any specific entities or industries but targets the identified engines explicitly. Any deviations or extensions to the application of this directive would be managed through subordinate instruments or further CASA notifications.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) pertains specifically to Thielert TAE125-01 Model Engines equipped with High Pressure (HP) Fuel Pumps (sections 1 and 2). These engines must comply with the directive if they have HP Fuel Pumps with specific part numbers (P/N) and serial numbers (S/N) as listed in the manufacturer's Service Bulletin (SB) No. TAE 125-0009 R1 dated 29 October 2004, or any HP Fuel Pump with a P/N beginning with "A" (section 3). The directive mandates that certain actions be taken to address the identified unsafe condition of the detachment of HP Fuel Pump mounting bolts, which can lead to fuel leakage, engine fire, or loss of engine power due to fuel starvation (section 4).
The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties involved, primarily the operators of the affected aircraft. These obligations include securing the pump mounting bolts of certain HP Fuel Pumps with Loctite 243 Blue, medium strength Threadlocker as specified in the manufacturer's Service Bulletin for HP Pumps P/N 02-7310-04005R3 and P/N 02-7310-04005R4 (section 5(1)). Additionally, all HP Fuel Pumps P/N 02-7310-04005R2 must be replaced (section 5(2)), and all HP Fuel Pumps with a P/N beginning with "A" must also be replaced (section 5(3)). These actions must be completed within the next 20 flight hours or within the next 30 calendar days after the effectivity date of the directive, whichever occurs first (section 6).
Failure to comply with the AD can result in significant safety hazards, including fuel leakage, engine fire, or loss of engine power. Although the directive itself does not explicitly state specific penalties, non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to civil or criminal consequences under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. This can include fines and potential prosecution, with penalties varying depending on the severity of the breach and the resulting risk to safety. Operators are expected to adhere to the AD to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft and ensure the safety of passengers and crew.