AD/TSA-600/28 - Fuel Pressure Gauge - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, were enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. The regulations address a range of issues related to aircraft operations, including airworthiness directives designed to correct safety issues identified in specific aircraft models. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) administers these regulations, ensuring compliance with the standards set to maintain the highest levels of aviation safety. In addressing the problem of potential engine failures due to lean fuel/air mixture operation in Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 Series Aeroplanes, the authority issued Airworthiness Directive AD/TSA-600/28, which mandates the marking of fuel pressure gauges within a specific psi range to prevent such failures. The policy objective behind this directive is to enhance aircraft safety and prevent incidents arising from operational oversights.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 series aeroplanes, with a particular focus on the Model 601 and 601P series. This legislation is designed to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating modifications to the fuel pressure gauges. The requirement is to mark the left-hand and right-hand engine fuel pressure gauges with a yellow arc over the 12 psi to 18 psi range, a directive aimed at preventing engine failures that may occur due to excessively lean fuel/air mixture operation. This modification must be carried out within 100 hours of the aeroplane's time in service following 30 November 1980. The directive is a supplement to the corresponding flight manual amendment and references FAA AD 80-18-03 Amendment 39-3900. The regulation applies nationwide within the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), ensuring compliance across all states and territories.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a detailed schedule of airworthiness directives that apply to various aircraft models, including the Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 series aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/TSA-600/28, pertains to the modification of the fuel pressure gauges on the Model 601 and 601P series aeroplanes (section 11/80). This directive requires the left-hand and right-hand engine fuel pressure gauges to be marked with a yellow arc over the 12 psi to 18 psi range (section 11/80). The directive references FAA AD 80-18-03 Amendment 39-3900 for further context and is aimed at preventing engine failures due to an excessively lean fuel/air mixture operation, supplementing the corresponding flight manual amendment. Operators and owners of the affected aircraft are obligated to ensure compliance with this airworthiness directive. Specifically, they must mark the fuel pressure gauges as specified within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1980 (section 11/80). Failure to adhere to this requirement could compromise the safety of the aircraft and its operation, thus these obligations are critical for maintaining the airworthiness of the aeroplanes in question. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance with the airworthiness directives within this legislative instrument. However, general provisions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations may apply. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which may include fines, legal action, or the grounding of non-compliant aircraft. The exact penalties and consequences would depend on the severity of the non-compliance and the specific provisions of the broader aviation legislation.