AD/Lancair/1 Amdt 1 Canopy Latching (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the commencement date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below repeals Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/LANCAIR/1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001 (1) of CASR and subsection 33 (3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct an 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.

Lancair Series Aeroplanes

AD/LANCAIR/1 Amdt 1 Canopy Latching 5/2021

Applicability:

All Lancair 200, 235, 320, 360 and Legacy aircraft.

Requirement:

1.     Inspect the canopy internal latching system to ensure that:

a.     the latching is readily accessible and requires no exceptional agility or skill in its operation when used in an emergency,

b.    the method of opening is simple and obvious,

c.     it is arranged and marked for easy operation, even in darkness, and

d.    any external auxiliary locking device used to secure the aircraft is able to be overridden by the normal internal opening means.

Note:  Notwithstanding any Airworthiness Authority issued to a builder, this inspection must be carried out and certified by a LAME licenced in the appropriate category.

2.     Modify the aircraft to meet the criteria in Requirement 1 in accordance with a scheme approved by CASA.

Compliance:

1.     Before further flight after the commencement date unless accomplished previously, and thereafter at each inspection for Maintenance Release issue.

2.     If the latching system does not meet all of the criteria in Requirement 1.

This AD commences on 12 March 2021.

Background:

A report which prompted the issue of the original issue of AD/LANCAIR/1 had been received CASA which indicated that difficulty in operating the internal latching system of the canopy may prevent both normal and emergency egress.

Amendment 1 of this AD removes Lancair models that do not have the forward hinged canopy configuration from the applicability of this AD.

David Punshon
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

2 March 2021