3000 Planes Grounded
I cannot see any equivalent AD in the USA (i.e. the grounding of all aircraft). Of course the problem would be 15 times more serious there, as there is 15 times the number of aircraft. Does this mean the FAA are looking at the matter in a different way? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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The FAA issued an "Emergency AD" effective "On Receipt" AD 2008-06-51.
I do have a problem with the AD. Quote "the servo plug gasket .. can shrink from engine heat, causing the plug to lose torque ... allowing the plug to vibrate out". Well the plug is supposed to be lockwired. You have to cut it to remove the plug for inspection of the threads!!??.
The AD allows the existing gasket to be reused?? If its faulty why?.
The press reports 3000 a/c in danger of engine failure. 18 incidents reported in the US. Any actual engine failures?.
Surely compliance within 2 hrs flight or 7 days would have alleviated the impact.
No one in CASA will lose his job for causing major economic damage and GA safety perception impact of issuing this AD and the press release, but then he could lose his job if he didn't.
I do have a problem with the AD. Quote "the servo plug gasket .. can shrink from engine heat, causing the plug to lose torque ... allowing the plug to vibrate out". Well the plug is supposed to be lockwired. You have to cut it to remove the plug for inspection of the threads!!??.
The AD allows the existing gasket to be reused?? If its faulty why?.
The press reports 3000 a/c in danger of engine failure. 18 incidents reported in the US. Any actual engine failures?.
Surely compliance within 2 hrs flight or 7 days would have alleviated the impact.
No one in CASA will lose his job for causing major economic damage and GA safety perception impact of issuing this AD and the press release, but then he could lose his job if he didn't.
"The issuing of this AD is intended to prevent a lean running engine, which could result in a substantial loss of engine power and subsequent loss of control of the aeroplane."
HOLY SMOKE!!!!!!! I didn't know running lean could make me lose control!!! I never got taught that in flight school.
"No Special Flight Permits"? err... CASA... THIS is what they are for, according to YOUR own manual.
Since aircraft operators (not LAMEs) are responsible for AD compliance, how would some flyer on tour out in the sticks get to find out about this AD? He/she wouldn't, most likely.
The 18 FAA reports - did they all come out of the one workshop?
HOLY SMOKE!!!!!!! I didn't know running lean could make me lose control!!! I never got taught that in flight school.
"No Special Flight Permits"? err... CASA... THIS is what they are for, according to YOUR own manual.
Since aircraft operators (not LAMEs) are responsible for AD compliance, how would some flyer on tour out in the sticks get to find out about this AD? He/she wouldn't, most likely.
The 18 FAA reports - did they all come out of the one workshop?
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timely dissemination of information
Well done CASA. If I hadn't seen the news last night, I'd still be burning around in a potentially unsafe aeroplane. I suppose this shouldn't surprise people..
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CASA's AD is a direct copy of the FAA one. No local thought went into it.
Even down to the requirement that after initial compliance the inspection must be carried out every 50 hours of engine time or at every oil change.
Obviously no one in the FAA or CASA gave any thought to the thousands of aircraft owners who legally perform their own oil changes and will now have to call in a LAME each time to sign off an inspection on their fuel injection system as well.
Even down to the requirement that after initial compliance the inspection must be carried out every 50 hours of engine time or at every oil change.
Obviously no one in the FAA or CASA gave any thought to the thousands of aircraft owners who legally perform their own oil changes and will now have to call in a LAME each time to sign off an inspection on their fuel injection system as well.
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For Immediate Release 14 March 2008
CASA Airworthiness Directive AD/FSM/31
AOPA condemns the sensationalism of the latest CASA press release, “grounding up to 3,000 small planes”.
AOPA President Col Rodgers said: “This is typical CASA over-regulation and over-reaction. They have once again tried to destroy the public’s confidence in General Aviation with emotional and sensational statements”
The truth of the matter is that possibly up to 200 Australian aircraft may be fitted with engines that were manufactured or overhauled within the affected date range. No instances of this particular component failure have been recorded in Australia to date. This AD is based on one issued by the FAA in the USA, and has been re-issued, unchanged, by CASA.
AOPA also questions CASA’s blanket insistence that the preliminary inspection of the component for looseness must be performed by a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME). Affected aircraft may be located at remote or isolated airfields, and to state that they must be stranded “until an engineer can be flown out to inspect the aircraft” shows just how out of touch CASA is with the realities of General Aviation. CAA NZ has also issued an AD for the same issue but has removed the requirement for initial inspection by a LAME.
Mr Rodgers said: “In contrast, aviation in New Zealand is thriving, and this is one example why – the regulator is working to encourage General Aviation, rather than to stifle it.”
After an urgent appeal by AOPA to Greg Vaughan, CASA’s General Manager General Aviation, arrangements are being put in place to permit pilots to undertake the initial assessment, and fly the aircraft to a maintenance facility if necessary.
“Greg Vaughan is a breath of fresh air in CASA, and we are pleased to be able to work with him,” said Mr Rodgers, “but he is having difficulties against the older culture still prevalent in CASA that is reactive and heavy handed. This has to change, for the betterment of GA.”
For More Information:
Tim Blatch
Chief Executive Officer
0411 156 123 [email protected]
Col Rodgers
President
0407 267 200 [email protected]
CASA Airworthiness Directive AD/FSM/31
AOPA condemns the sensationalism of the latest CASA press release, “grounding up to 3,000 small planes”.
AOPA President Col Rodgers said: “This is typical CASA over-regulation and over-reaction. They have once again tried to destroy the public’s confidence in General Aviation with emotional and sensational statements”
The truth of the matter is that possibly up to 200 Australian aircraft may be fitted with engines that were manufactured or overhauled within the affected date range. No instances of this particular component failure have been recorded in Australia to date. This AD is based on one issued by the FAA in the USA, and has been re-issued, unchanged, by CASA.
AOPA also questions CASA’s blanket insistence that the preliminary inspection of the component for looseness must be performed by a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME). Affected aircraft may be located at remote or isolated airfields, and to state that they must be stranded “until an engineer can be flown out to inspect the aircraft” shows just how out of touch CASA is with the realities of General Aviation. CAA NZ has also issued an AD for the same issue but has removed the requirement for initial inspection by a LAME.
Mr Rodgers said: “In contrast, aviation in New Zealand is thriving, and this is one example why – the regulator is working to encourage General Aviation, rather than to stifle it.”
After an urgent appeal by AOPA to Greg Vaughan, CASA’s General Manager General Aviation, arrangements are being put in place to permit pilots to undertake the initial assessment, and fly the aircraft to a maintenance facility if necessary.
“Greg Vaughan is a breath of fresh air in CASA, and we are pleased to be able to work with him,” said Mr Rodgers, “but he is having difficulties against the older culture still prevalent in CASA that is reactive and heavy handed. This has to change, for the betterment of GA.”
For More Information:
Tim Blatch
Chief Executive Officer
0411 156 123 [email protected]
Col Rodgers
President
0407 267 200 [email protected]
So Mr Gibson another one of your great efforts to help GA!!!
Numerous phone-calls from the media regarding are you still operating and are your aircraft grounded?
Anyone know how Tasair, King Island Airlines, GAM and Tasfast got on with this little problem?
Numerous phone-calls from the media regarding are you still operating and are your aircraft grounded?
Anyone know how Tasair, King Island Airlines, GAM and Tasfast got on with this little problem?
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You can just about bet that GAM were on top of it as soon as the AD was announced.
Glad the Bo has an IO520... our local LAME is away for a while. Could have caused me & C185 Skywagon and others here some big drama if this engine was affected.
Glad the Bo has an IO520... our local LAME is away for a while. Could have caused me & C185 Skywagon and others here some big drama if this engine was affected.
All,
Have a look, about now, for a revised version, including an instrument to allow a pilot to do the Stage1 inspection ---- due out about 1400AEST.
You don't need to be a LAME to work out that, if you can move the plug with your fingers, the plug is loose.
I would rather like to think that you might see the head of a certain CASA PR person rolling down Black Mountain.
At least the EGM/GA has done the right thing, as soon as he found out what had happened, try and imagine where we would be if the place was still dominated by the old guard. In reality, probably about 20-100 aircraft are in the frame.
Nothing like a bit of exaggeration to show how CASA is protecting the public from the threat of aviation.
Tootle pip !!
Have a look, about now, for a revised version, including an instrument to allow a pilot to do the Stage1 inspection ---- due out about 1400AEST.
You don't need to be a LAME to work out that, if you can move the plug with your fingers, the plug is loose.
I would rather like to think that you might see the head of a certain CASA PR person rolling down Black Mountain.
At least the EGM/GA has done the right thing, as soon as he found out what had happened, try and imagine where we would be if the place was still dominated by the old guard. In reality, probably about 20-100 aircraft are in the frame.
Nothing like a bit of exaggeration to show how CASA is protecting the public from the threat of aviation.
Tootle pip !!
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That's just great, don't fly it 'till an engineer checks it out, "land Mavrick, you are instructed to land, land imeadiatley", check what out? a loose plug....sheeeez there's more 'loose' plugs at CASA than anywhere on an airframe! As some mentioned here what about those that had not seen nor heard of this emergency AD 'cause they where/are 'away'? They would be the ones for sure who would fall out of the sky & CASA would say, there told ya so!
The only way they (CASA) backed off the screws a little( better check their torque as well!) was thru common sense but not before they once again justified their jobs. Well done to those that made it right. Wouldn't it be great to have a vote for who runs the Aviation industry rather than we (pilots engineers etc) are told who's running the circus! Aren't we about due for a name change? Should start a competition for a new name for CASA, we would all die laughing from the Eg's supplied by us !
Surely they have just printed a zillions $'s worth of new stationary!
CW
P.S. would be nice to know if anyone out there finds this loose plug so we could perhaps get some feedback.
The only way they (CASA) backed off the screws a little( better check their torque as well!) was thru common sense but not before they once again justified their jobs. Well done to those that made it right. Wouldn't it be great to have a vote for who runs the Aviation industry rather than we (pilots engineers etc) are told who's running the circus! Aren't we about due for a name change? Should start a competition for a new name for CASA, we would all die laughing from the Eg's supplied by us !
Surely they have just printed a zillions $'s worth of new stationary!CW
P.S. would be nice to know if anyone out there finds this loose plug so we could perhaps get some feedback.
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The stupid thing about not letting the pilot check the plug in the inspection is that most pilots I would have thought would do just that in any pre-flight!
Walrus
Walrus
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And while you're at it, why not do a major service on the BMW in your driveway....
Oh that's right, you have to have factory approval to do that. That means you have to have years of ENGINEERING training.
The vast majority of aircraft owners are very responsible, competent people. I just keep meeting the few who would repair an aircraft with a piece of fencing wire, then drive their expensive, luxury car to the factory dealer for a service. And not bitch about paying $140- per hour....
Apologies for the rant, a little tired of owners crying poor.
Prepared for incoming, over.
Oh that's right, you have to have factory approval to do that. That means you have to have years of ENGINEERING training.
The vast majority of aircraft owners are very responsible, competent people. I just keep meeting the few who would repair an aircraft with a piece of fencing wire, then drive their expensive, luxury car to the factory dealer for a service. And not bitch about paying $140- per hour....
Apologies for the rant, a little tired of owners crying poor.
Prepared for incoming, over.
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nah that's fine 'spanner', we need engineers most times. But if there's a way to save 10 cents then some will spend a dollar to do it! That's why they drive that expensive car (BMW, that's pretty common so nothing flash there) because they use cheap fencing wire where they can get away with it in order to keep da flash wheels!
BTW Dick Smith how's the 'rally' shaping up at yr ranch? Ready for the boys & their toys?
CW
BTW Dick Smith how's the 'rally' shaping up at yr ranch? Ready for the boys & their toys?
CW
I find it incredible that they wont allow Joe Average outback station owner with a 172 in the shed fly it to a LAME to be looked at.
Do they seriously expect Joe average to pay for a LAME to go to some of these far flung places?
Do they seriously expect Joe average to pay for a LAME to go to some of these far flung places?
Some commonsense at last..... Thank you AOPA.
Last edited by bentleg; 14th Mar 2008 at 07:12.
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Saw on the ABC TV news this evening, someone shown holding a fuel injection unit and pointing to the said plug which appears to be the problem.
Admittedly it was only shown for about one second but the plug appeared to be lockwired!!
If indeed it it, then can someone explain just what the problem is??
Admittedly it was only shown for about one second but the plug appeared to be lockwired!!
If indeed it it, then can someone explain just what the problem is??