COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Eagle X-TS Series Aeroplanes
AD/X-TS/1 Exhaust System Inspection - Heat Exchanger 9/98 TX
Applicability: All Eagle XTS aircraft Serial Numbers 002 - 015 (incl).
Requirement: 1. Inspect the exhaust muffler heat shroud end plate attachment for signs of cracking in accordance with the provisions of Eagle Aircraft Service Bulletin SB1042 dated 30 June 1998. Evidence of cracking of the exhaust system renders the aircraft unserviceable until the system is replaced or repaired in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. A report of each inspection carried out under the provisions of this Directive is to be raised and forwarded to Eagle aircraft. The report shall include all observations on the condition of the exhaust muffler and whether or not cracks are detected. Particular attention shall be paid to aircraft structure and components in close proximity to the muffler for signs of fretting and/or abrasion. These observations shall also be included in the report to Eagle aircraft.
Compliance: 1. Unless previously accomplished, before further flight and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours time in service.
2. Following each exhaust inspection at requirement 1.
Initial compliance may be delayed by up to 10 hours on the condition that the cabin heating system is rendered inoperative before next flight, a seviceable Carbon Monoxide Spot Detector is fitted in clear view of the pilot, and the heating system is not returned to a serviceable condition until the exhaust system has been inspected and cleared as serviceable.
This airworthiness directive becomes effective on 6 July 1998.
Background: One aircraft, with less than 100 hours operation, has been found with cracks in the exhaust muffler assembly which could lead to the leakage of potentially harmful exhaust gases into the cabin heating system. This Directive mandates a manufacturer’s Service Bulletin which inspects the exhaust muffler system for cracks and introduces a repeat inspection to ensure that the exhaust system remains in a safe condition pending modification action by the manufacturer.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serves to regulate civil aviation safety throughout the nation. One such regulation within Part 39, specifically AD/X-TS/1, addresses the safety concerns associated with the exhaust system of Eagle X-TS Series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of potentially harmful exhaust gases leaking into the cabin heating system, a problem identified in a particular Eagle X-TS aircraft with less than 100 hours of operation. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft by requiring regular inspections of the exhaust muffler system for signs of cracking, and to mandate the reporting of inspection findings to the manufacturer. Compliance with this directive is critical to prevent any unserviceability of the aircraft due to exhaust system issues, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), mandates the requirements for the airworthiness of the Eagle X-TS series aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directive AD/X-TS/1. This legislation applies to all Eagle XTS aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 002 to 015 inclusive, necessitating the inspection of the exhaust muffler heat shroud end plate attachment for any signs of cracking. The inspection must comply with the provisions of Eagle Aircraft Service Bulletin SB1042 dated 30 June 1998, and evidence of cracking renders the aircraft unserviceable until the system is either replaced or repaired as per the manufacturer's instructions. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this directive is under the Commonwealth of Australia, administered by CASA. Compliance with this directive involves inspecting the exhaust system before further flight and then at intervals not exceeding 25 hours in service, with an initial compliance delay of up to 10 hours if certain conditions are met, such as rendering the cabin heating system inoperative and fitting a serviceable Carbon Monoxide Spot Detector. Reports of each inspection must be raised and forwarded to Eagle Aircraft, detailing observations on the condition of the exhaust muffler and any detected cracks, as well as signs of fretting or abrasion in the surrounding structure and components.
Key Provisions
The main provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically the Airworthiness Directive AD/X-TS/1 for Eagle X-TS Series Aeroplanes, require that certain inspections be conducted on the exhaust muffler heat exchanger of aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 002 to 015 inclusive. Section 1 of the directive mandates that the exhaust muffler heat shroud end plate attachment be inspected for signs of cracking as outlined in Eagle Aircraft Service Bulletin SB1042 dated 30 June 1998. The detection of any cracking in the exhaust system renders the aircraft unserviceable until the system is replaced or repaired according to the manufacturer's instructions. This directive also requires that a detailed report of each inspection be prepared and sent to Eagle Aircraft, detailing any observations on the condition of the exhaust muffler and any detected cracks, as well as signs of fretting or abrasion in the surrounding structure and components.
The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties it governs are stringent. Operators of Eagle X-TS aircraft must ensure that the specified inspections are carried out before further flight and at intervals not exceeding 25 hours of time in service. The inspections must be performed in accordance with the instructions provided in the manufacturer's Service Bulletin SB1042. Additionally, a report detailing the findings of each inspection must be submitted to Eagle Aircraft, including observations on the condition of the exhaust system and any detected issues in the surrounding structure.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this directive can lead to significant consequences. Section 3 of the directive outlines that non-compliance may result in the aircraft being rendered unserviceable, thereby prohibiting further flights until the identified issues are addressed. The directive does not specify particular penalties for non-compliance; however, the potential for severe operational disruptions and the safety implications of operating an aircraft with an unserviceable exhaust system underscore the importance of strict adherence to these requirements. The directive does allow for a delay in initial compliance of up to 10 hours under specific conditions, but this is subject to stringent safety measures being put in place, such as rendering the cabin heating system inoperative, fitting a serviceable Carbon Monoxide Spot Detector, and ensuring that the heating system is not returned to a serviceable condition until the exhaust system has been inspected and cleared.