COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 Series Aeroplanes
AD/TSA-600/5 Centre Fuel Tank Fuel Probe Gasket - Replacement
10/76
Applicability: Model 600 with S/Nos. 60-0284-107 to 60-0310-115. Model 601, S/Nos. 61-037-109.
Model 601P with S/Nos. 61P-0283-065 to 61P-0315-085 except: 61P-0288-068, 61P-0291-070, 61P-0300-076, 61P-0313083 and 61P-314-084.
Document: Ted Smith Corp. SB No. SB600-53.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 29 October 1976.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to regulate civil aviation activities within Australia and to ensure the safety of aircraft and personnel involved in such activities. One of the key components of these regulations is Part 39, which includes specific airworthiness directives such as AD/TSA-600/5. This particular directive addresses a safety concern related to the centre fuel tank fuel probe gaskets in certain Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 series aeroplanes. The directive was introduced to ensure that these aircraft meet the necessary safety standards, aiming to prevent potential issues related to fuel tank integrity and operational safety. Compliance with such directives is mandatory for the specified models and serial numbers, requiring the replacement of the fuel probe gaskets within a specified timeframe to maintain airworthiness.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses a variety of safety directives designed to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft within Australia. One such directive pertains to Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 Series aeroplanes, detailing a requirement for the replacement of the centre fuel tank fuel probe gasket. This directive applies to specific serial numbers within these models, excluding certain aircraft as noted in the schedule. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, ensuring compliance across all aviation entities operating within the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive mandates that compliance with the replacement of the centre fuel tank fuel probe gasket must occur within 100 hours of time in service after the specified date, which is 29 October 1976. This regulation does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, thereby applying broadly to all relevant aircraft within the specified serial number ranges. The application of these directives may be further extended or restricted by subordinate instruments, ensuring that the regulation remains adaptable to new safety findings or technological advancements.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly PART 39 - 105, includes detailed provisions for airworthiness directives, as exemplified in AD/TSA-600/5. This directive pertains specifically to Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 series aeroplanes, focusing on the replacement of the Centre Fuel Tank Fuel Probe Gasket. The directive applies to certain serial numbers of Model 600, Model 601, and Model 601P aeroplanes, with some exceptions noted (sections referenced in parentheses). The directive was issued on 10/76 and is supported by Ted Smith Corp. SB No. SB600-53, requiring compliance within 100 hours of time in service following the directive's issuance date.
The obligations under this directive are clear and specific. Operators of the affected aeroplanes must ensure that the Centre Fuel Tank Fuel Probe Gasket is replaced as per the requirements outlined in the directive. This involves verifying that the relevant serial numbers fall within the scope of the directive and ensuring that the replacement is carried out within the stipulated timeframe of 100 hours of time in service post the directive's issuance date. The directive also mandates that the replacement is performed in accordance with the technical specifications provided by the Ted Smith Corporation, as detailed in SB No. SB600-53.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/TSA-600/5 may result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 establish that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory penalties. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within this directive, but under the overarching regulations, they can be severe, reflecting the importance of maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft for safety reasons. The directive serves to underscore the critical nature of adhering to safety standards to prevent potential hazards related to fuel tank fuel probe gaskets.