AD/AA-5/27 Amdt 1 - Wing Attach Shoulder Bolts

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, were enacted to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. The regulations address various aspects of aviation safety, including airworthiness standards and directives. Part 39, specifically, contains the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, which are regulatory measures aimed at maintaining aircraft in a safe condition. One such directive, AD/AA-5/27 Amendment 1, targets Gulfstream (Grumman American/ American Aviation) AA-5 Series aeroplanes. This amendment was introduced to address the problem of wing attach shoulder bolt failure, which was found during inspections. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft by mitigating the risk of structural failure due to compromised bolts. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, requiring timely inspections and replacements of the specified bolts to prevent any potential safety hazards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, concerns the safety directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for certain aircraft models, including the Gulfstream (Grumman American/American Aviation) AA-5 Series aeroplanes, which encompass types AA-5, AA-5A, AA-5B, and AG-5B. These directives mandate particular actions concerning wing attach shoulder bolts to ensure the aircraft's airworthiness and safety. The regulation applies to the aforementioned aircraft models, demanding that certain bolts be removed, inspected for cracking, and replaced if necessary, in accordance with specific instructions provided by American General Aviation Service Bulletin SB-185. Compliance with these directives is imperative, requiring that the specified actions be undertaken either before the bolts reach 1000 hours of service time or within 10 hours of service after 23 August 1995, whichever is later, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of service time. The regulation’s scope is clear and precise, leaving little room for interpretation, as it addresses critical safety measures to prevent potential structural failures that could compromise flight control.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft. For Gulfstream (Grumman American/ American Aviation) AA-5 Series Aeroplanes, AD/AA-5/27 Amendment 1 addresses the issue of wing attach shoulder bolts. This directive applies to AA-5, AA-5A, AA-5B, and AG-5B aircraft. Section 1 of the AD outlines the requirements: first, the subject bolts or approved replacements must be removed in line with American General Aviation SB-185; second, the bolts must be inspected for cracking at the bolt shoulder using either Magnaflux or Fluorescent Dye NDI techniques, and any bolts showing signs of cracking must be discarded; finally, the bolts must be installed according to the requirements specified in American General Aviation SB-185. Compliance with AD/AA-5/27 Amendment 1 is mandatory. Owners and operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that these requirements are met either before the bolts reach 1000 hours of service time or within 10 hours after 23 August 1995, whichever is later. Subsequent compliance must occur at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of service time. This ongoing requirement underscores the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. The background to Amendment 1 highlights the critical nature of these directives. Initially, a Mandatory Disposition Report (MDR) was received stating that a bolt had been found cracked during inspection using Magnaflux, rather than visual inspection, in accordance with the requirement document. This defect was highlighted in the AAC Major Defect Summary. Further laboratory examination revealed that the fatigue cracking could be attributed to the rapid change in section at the shoulder and the sharp edge observed under X230 magnification. The potential failure of a shoulder bolt poses a significant risk to the aircraft's structural integrity and could lead to a loss of flight control. Non-compliance with these airworthiness directives can result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces these regulations, and failure to adhere to AD/AA-5/27 Amendment 1 can lead to penalties. Depending on the severity of the breach, consequences can include fines, suspension of the aircraft’s operating certificate, or even prosecution. The specific penalties and enforcement actions are determined by CASA based on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but the overarching aim is to ensure that all regulated aircraft maintain the highest safety standards.