COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Gulfstream (Grumman American/ American Aviation) AA-1 Series Aeroplanes
AD/AA-1/20 Wing Attach Shoulder Bolts 11/95 DM
Applicability: All models AA-1.
Requirement: 1. Remove the subject bolts, or other approved replacement bolts in accordance with American General Aviation AA-5 (repeat, AA-5) SB-185.
2. Inspect the bolts for cracking at the bolt shoulder using either the Magnaflux or Fluorescent Dye NDI technique and discard any bolts with indications of cracking.
3. Until further notice, install bolts in accordance with the requirements of American General Aviation AA-5 SB-185.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, prior to attaining 1000 hours bolt time in service, or within 10 hours time in service after the effective date, whichever occurs last; thereafter at intervals not exceeding 500 hours’ time in service.
The effective date of this Directive is 06 September 1995.
Background: The intent of this Directive was initially aimed at AA-5 Series aircraft. However, a report has been received of an AA-1 found with both attach bolts in both wings cracked, when randomly inspected as a result of the AD/AA-5/27 Amdt 1.
The AA-5 AD was raised as the result of a MDR received stating that a bolt had been found cracked when inspected using Magnaflux, instead of visually, in accordance with the SB 185. The defect was highlighted in the AAC Major Defect Summary.
However, subsequent laboratory examination of the bolt revealed that the fatigue cracking could be attributable to the rapid change in section at the shoulder and the sharp edge revealed at X230 magnification.
Failure of a shoulder bolt may compromise the structural integrity of an aircraft and could result in a loss of flight control.
Until further notice, the bolt inspection and reinstallation will be carried out in accordance with the AA-5 instructions.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes the Airworthiness Directive AD/AA-1/20 concerning the wing attach shoulder bolts of Gulfstream (Grumman American/ American Aviation) AA-1 series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument was enacted to address a critical safety concern identified with the shoulder bolts in these aircraft models, which could potentially compromise the structural integrity and result in a loss of flight control. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure compliance with safety standards and to prevent any potential failure of these critical components. The primary objective is to mandate the removal, inspection, and replacement of the bolts to mitigate any risk associated with cracking, thus enhancing the overall safety of the aircraft in operation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the wing attach shoulder bolts of all models of the Gulfstream (Grumman American/ American Aviation) AA-1 Series Aeroplanes, as detailed in PART 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. This legislation applies to all owners and operators of the specified aircraft models, mandating compliance with specific maintenance and inspection requirements to ensure airworthiness and safety. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this directive is within the Commonwealth of Australia, enforced by CASA. The directive requires the removal and inspection of the wing attach shoulder bolts for any indications of cracking using specified non-destructive inspection techniques. It mandates the replacement of any defective bolts with approved ones, following instructions provided by American General Aviation AA-5 SB-185. Compliance must be achieved within defined time intervals after the effective date of the directive, ensuring that the aircraft remains airworthy and safe for operation. The directive does not explicitly mention exclusions or exemptions but implies strict adherence to the outlined procedures is mandatory for all covered aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, which includes the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses specific safety concerns for the Gulfstream (Grumman American/ American Aviation) AA-1 Series Aeroplanes. Section AD/AA-1/20 pertains to the wing attach shoulder bolts and mandates certain actions to ensure the safety of these aircraft (AD/AA-1/20). The directive requires that the bolts be removed, inspected for any indications of cracking at the bolt shoulder using either the Magnaflux or Fluorescent Dye Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) technique, and discarded if any cracking is found (AD/AA-1/20). Additionally, the installation of these bolts must comply with the requirements outlined in American General Aviation AA-5 SB-185 until further notice (AD/AA-1/20).
Compliance with this directive is critical and must be achieved under specific timeframes. The directive requires compliance either before the bolts reach 1000 hours of service time or within 10 hours of service time after the effective date of the directive, whichever is later. Once compliant, the maintenance must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of service time (AD/AA-1/20). The directive became effective on 6 September 1995, marking the date from which compliance timeframes began.
The directive imposes several obligations on the parties involved, particularly on aircraft owners and operators. They must ensure that the specified bolts are inspected and replaced as per the directive's requirements to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. This includes timely removal and inspection of the bolts, and adherence to the specified intervals for ongoing maintenance checks. Failure to comply with these obligations can lead to serious safety risks, including the potential for structural failure in-flight, which could compromise flight control and safety.
In the event of non-compliance with the provisions of this directive, there are potential civil and criminal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within this legislative instrument, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions can include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other administrative penalties. In more severe cases, criminal charges may be brought against individuals or corporations responsible for the non-compliance, leading to criminal penalties that can include substantial fines and imprisonment.