AD/AA-5/21 - Glove Box - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, aim to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation in the country. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations includes a schedule of airworthiness directives that address various safety concerns for different aircraft types. This particular legislative instrument, F2006B02054, pertains to Gulfstream (Grumman American/ American Aviation) AA-5 Series Aeroplanes and was introduced to address a specific safety issue. The regulation mandates a modification to the glove box of these aircraft to seal the gap between the forward face of the glove box and the instrument facia, thereby preventing objects from passing through, which could potentially interfere with the aircraft's operation. Compliance with this airworthiness directive must be achieved within 100 hours’ time in service after 31 December 1978, ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the necessary safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the safety directives pertinent to civil aviation within Australia, with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority issuing these directives. This particular directive, AD/AA-5/21, applies to all models of the Gulfstream (Grumman American/ American Aviation) AA-5 Series aeroplanes. The directive mandates a modification to the glove box of these aircraft, requiring the sealing of the gap between the glove box and the instrument facia to prevent any objects from passing through, ensuring safety and compliance with aviation standards. This modification must be completed within 100 hours of time in service following 31 December 1978. The directive applies universally across the specified aircraft models, ensuring that all such aircraft operating within Australian airspace or registered in Australia comply with the specified safety requirements. There are no exclusions or exemptions specified in this directive, thus it applies to all applicable aircraft without exception. The directive’s application can be further extended or clarified through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The main operative section of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (the Regulations) relevant to Gulfstream (Grumman American/ American Aviation) AA-5 Series Aeroplanes is Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/AA-5/21 (subsection 105.003). This section mandates a modification to the glove box of the aircraft to ensure safety. According to the regulation, the requirement is to seal the gap formed between the forward face of the glove box and the instrument facia. This modification is necessary to prevent objects from passing through, thereby eliminating potential hazards during flight. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators of Gulfstream AA-5 Series Aeroplanes must ensure that the modification is completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1978. This means that once the aircraft has accumulated 100 hours of operational time post this date, the modification must be carried out. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, potentially leading to grounding of the aircraft until the necessary modifications are completed. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose serious consequences for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. If an operator fails to adhere to AD/AA-5/21, they may be subject to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions can include the issuance of a Notice of Proposed Civil Penalty, which could lead to substantial financial penalties. The maximum penalty for contravening these regulations is significant, as outlined in section 359 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which can amount to a fine of up to $202,500 for a corporation and imprisonment for up to five years for an individual. Additionally, there may be civil liability for damages caused by non-compliance, as well as potential criminal charges if the breach results in serious harm or loss of life.