{"id":"F2006B02395","name":"AD/AMD 50/29 - Fuselage Lateral Feeder Tanks","slug":"ad-amd-50-29-fuselage-lateral-feeder-tanks","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":41625,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02395-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/AMD 50/29 - Fuselage Lateral Feeder Tanks","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 22.10.0\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n \n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\n\n# AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\n![](image.001.png)  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 CAR 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.\n\n \n\nAMD Falcon 50 and 900 Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\n# AD/AMD 50/29 Fuselage Lateral Feeder Tanks 3/2003\n\n \n\nApplicability:  Mystere Falcon 50 aeroplanes, excluding those aircraft incorporating Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin F50-415, modification M673, or modification M2491.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Carry out the requirements of Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin F50-415.\n\n \n\nNote: DGAC 2002-595(B) refers.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Within 15 months from the effective date of this Directive.\n\n \n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 March 2003.\n\n \n\nBackground: Analysis of an in-flight incident has shown the need to improve the resistance of the feeder tanks skin to direct lightning effects. This Directive addresses the problem by the fitment of insulation patches to the internal side of the feeder tanks.\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\n\n \n\nJames Coyne\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 28 January 2003\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 February 2003.\n\n \n\n \n\n\nPage 1 of 1\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD implements a narrowly focused safety correction (insulation patches to feeder tanks) tied directly to a specific in‑flight incident and the manufacturer's service bulletin. It does not broaden the regulatory reach beyond that technical fix nor add unrelated obligations; therefore it has not grown beyond its original purpose of correcting the identified lightning-resistance deficiency (Background; Requirement; Applicability)."},"complexity_factors":["Very short single-page directive","One primary action called up (Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin F50-415)","Single aircraft type affected (Mystere Falcon 50) with a narrow exclusion list (SB F50-415, mod M673, mod M2491)","One compliance timeframe (within 15 months from effective date)","Cross-reference to an external service bulletin and to DGAC 2002-595(B) (external dependency)","No defined terms section, no nested exceptions, and no conditional compliance options in the text"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this directive does (mechanically):**\n\n- Requires owners/operators of Mystere Falcon 50 aeroplanes (except those already modified as described below) to carry out the actions in Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin F50-415 (the manufacturer's instructions) to the feeder tanks in the fuselage (Requirement; Applicability).\n- Specifically, the fix is the fitment of insulation patches to the internal side of the lateral feeder tanks to improve the tanks' resistance to direct lightning effects (Background; Requirement).\n- Aircraft that already incorporate Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin F50-415 or modifications M673 or M2491 are excluded from this directive (Applicability).\n- The work must be completed within 15 months from the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive (Compliance).  The AD became effective 20 March 2003 (Compliance).\n- The AD cites a related foreign authority action (DGAC 2002-595(B)) as a cross-reference (Note).\n\n**Who is affected:**\n\n- Owners and operators of Mystere Falcon 50 aeroplanes that do not already have Dassault SB F50-415 or modifications M673/M2491 applied.  Maintenance organisations that perform the work will also be engaged.\n\n**Who pays and who decides:**\n\n- Aircraft owners/operators pay for parts, labour and any downtime.  The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), acting through its delegate, is the regulator requiring compliance (first paragraph and signature block).\n\n**Why it matters and the stated reason:**\n\n- The manufacturer and regulator say an in-flight incident showed the feeder-tank skin needed better protection against direct lightning strikes; the insulation patches are intended to correct that unsafe condition (Background).\n\n**Practical effects, costs and implementation points to consider:**\n\n- Direct costs: parts (insulation patches), labour, and aircraft downtime for the modification. These costs are concentrated on the affected aircraft owners/operators (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance).\n- Implementation depends on following Dassault Service Bulletin F50-415 exactly. If an operator wants an alternative method of compliance, that will typically require approval from the regulator (the AD requires the SB actions; it does not itself specify alternative methods).\n- The AD excludes aircraft already modified by the specified Service Bulletin or modifications, so operators must verify their aircraft configuration before scheduling work (Applicability).\n- There is a dependency risk: the AD cross-references the manufacturer's service bulletin and the DGAC note (foreign regulator). If the service bulletin is unclear or changed, operators may need clarification or further approvals from the regulator, which can delay compliance (Requirement; Note).\n- Administrative burden: tracking affected serial numbers, proving compliance to CASA, and arranging maintenance slots within the 15-month window (Compliance).\n\n**Trade-offs and incentives:**\n\n- Safety benefit (reduced risk from direct lightning effects) is concentrated on Falcon 50 operators and their passengers/crew. The cost is concentrated on those same operators.\n- Because the AD mandates a specific manufacturer's procedure, Dassault-authorised maintenance providers are the natural suppliers of parts and technical compliance, which concentrates the aftermarket demand for this task.\n\n**Source citations within the AD:**\n\n- Applicability (which aircraft are covered and which are excluded).\n- Requirement (calls up Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin F50-415).\n- Compliance (15 month deadline; effective date 20 March 2003).\n- Background (reason: feeder tanks need improved resistance to direct lightning effects).\n- Note (DGAC 2002-595(B) reference)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope — addressing a specific lightning protection issue on a specific aircraft type. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Single, clearly defined applicability (one aircraft model with three specific exemptions)","Single requirement referencing an external technical document (Service Bulletin F50-415)","Simple compliance deadline (15 months from effective date)","No defined terms section, no cross-references to other legislation beyond the enabling regulation (CAR 1998)","Background provides clear rationale without technical overloading","Total length: approximately 300 words"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive mandates that owners/operators of Mystere Dassault Falcon 50 jets install insulation patches inside the fuselage fuel feeder tanks per Dassault Service Bulletin F50-415 to protect tank skin from lightning damage. It responds to an in‑flight incident showing the tank skin could fail under direct lightning, posing fire/explosion risk.\n\nAircraft already modified per SB F50-415 or fitted with modifications M673 or M2491 are exempt. Compliance was required within 15 months of 20 March 2003."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-amd-50-29-fuselage-lateral-feeder-tanks","history":"/api/acts/ad-amd-50-29-fuselage-lateral-feeder-tanks/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-amd-50-29-fuselage-lateral-feeder-tanks/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-amd-50-29-fuselage-lateral-feeder-tanks/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-amd-50-29-fuselage-lateral-feeder-tanks/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-amd-50-29-fuselage-lateral-feeder-tanks/documents"}}