{"id":"F2006B11286","name":"AD/ML-M4/17 - Gascolator and Electric Fuel Pump - Proximity to Dual Exhaust System","slug":"ad-ml-m4-17-gascolator-and-electric-fuel-pump-proximity-to-dual-exhaust-system","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":57099,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B11286-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/ML-M4/17 - Gascolator and Electric Fuel Pump - Proximity to Dual Exhaust System","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)  Maule M-4 Series Aeroplanes\n\n \n\nAD/ML-M4/17 Gascolator and Electric Fuel Pump - Proximity\n\nto Dual Exhaust System\n\n\n9/96\n\n \n\nApplicability: All Maule M-4-210 S/N 1001 to 1045 and M-4-210C S/N 1001C to 1080C aircraft with dual exhaust system 5230F installed.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Unless previously carried out action in accordance with Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. SB No 10 dated 9/16/94 (16 September 1994).\n\n \n\nNote: FAA AD 96-10-05 Amdt 39-9610 refers.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Within 50 hours time in service from 15 August 1996 or by 31 December 1996, whichever occurs first.\n\n \n\nBackground: When dual exhaust system 5230F has been installed the proximity of the L/H exhaust pipe to the gascolator is too close requiring repositioning.\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 \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","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical defect in a limited population of aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating a single safety modification."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 150 words of substantive content)","Only 2 defined applicability criteria (aircraft model/serial numbers and exhaust system part number)","Single, straightforward compliance requirement (follow manufacturer's Service Bulletin)","Simple alternative compliance deadline (whichever occurs first of two dates)","No cross-references to other legislation beyond a note about the related FAA directive","No nested exceptions or conditional logic","Clear, unambiguous language throughout"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:** This is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) — essentially a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Think of it like a compulsory recall notice, but for aircraft rather than cars.\n\n**What it does:** It requires owners and operators of specific Maule M-4 aeroplanes to fix a dangerous design flaw. The problem is that on certain models with a particular dual exhaust system (part number 5230F), the left-hand exhaust pipe sits too close to the \"gascolator\" — a fuel filter/water separator that sits in the fuel line between the tank and the engine. Heat from the exhaust could damage the gascolator or ignite fuel vapours, creating a fire risk.\n\n**Who must act:** Anyone who owns or operates:\n- Maule M-4-210 aircraft with serial numbers 1001 to 1045, OR\n- Maule M-4-210C aircraft with serial numbers 1001C to 1080C\n...provided they have the dual exhaust system 5230F installed.\n\n**What action is required:** The aircraft must be modified following the manufacturer's Service Bulletin No. 10 (dated 16 September 1994). This typically involves repositioning components to create safe separation between the hot exhaust and the fuel system.\n\n**When it had to be done:** By the earlier of either:\n- Within 50 hours of flying time after 15 August 1996, OR\n- By 31 December 1996\n\n**Why it matters:** This is a fire prevention measure. Exhaust systems reach extremely high temperatures. If they sit too close to fuel system components, the heat can degrade fuel lines, cause vapour lock (fuel boiling in the lines), or in worst cases, ignite fuel — with potentially catastrophic consequences in flight."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive's scope matches its stated purpose: it applies only to the listed serial-number ranges and aircraft fitted with exhaust system 5230F and mandates repositioning per the referenced service bulletin to address proximity of the L/H exhaust to the gascolator. No expansion beyond that technical, time-limited corrective action is indicated in the text."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability: specific serial-number ranges for M-4-210 and M-4-210C fitted with exhaust system 5230F (reduces scope).","Clear compliance window: 50 flight hours from 15 Aug 1996 or by 31 Dec 1996 (straightforward deadline).","Action tied to an external service bulletin (Maule SB No 10 dated 16/9/94), requiring operators to obtain and follow that document.","Technical task: physical repositioning of gascolator/electric pump — requires maintenance skill, tools, and possible downtime.","Reference to FAA AD 96-10-05 indicates coordination with another regulator (informational, not adding procedural complexity).","Enforcement/recording obligation under CASA airworthiness directive regime (administrative compliance burden)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive orders owners/operators of specified Maule M-4-210 and M-4-210C aircraft fitted with dual exhaust system 5230F to reposition the gascolator (and electric fuel pump) in accordance with Maule SB No 10 (16 Sep 1994). CASA requires the work within 50 flight hours from 15 Aug 1996 or by 31 Dec 1996. The change responds to the left-hand exhaust pipe being too close to the gascolator, creating an airworthiness/safety risk. Owners/operators pay for compliance; CASA enforces the directive."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m4-17-gascolator-and-electric-fuel-pump-proximity-to-dual-exhaust-system","history":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m4-17-gascolator-and-electric-fuel-pump-proximity-to-dual-exhaust-system/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m4-17-gascolator-and-electric-fuel-pump-proximity-to-dual-exhaust-system/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m4-17-gascolator-and-electric-fuel-pump-proximity-to-dual-exhaust-system/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m4-17-gascolator-and-electric-fuel-pump-proximity-to-dual-exhaust-system/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ml-m4-17-gascolator-and-electric-fuel-pump-proximity-to-dual-exhaust-system/documents"}}