AD/AC-112/8 Amdt 1 - Aileron Hinge Supports - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), enacted by the Australian Government, address issues concerning the safety and regulation of civil aviation within Australia. The specific amendment AD/AC-112/8Amdt 1, introduced in 1978, targets the aileron hinge supports of Gulfstream (Rockwell) 112 Series aeroplanes, aiming to mitigate risks associated with potential structural weaknesses in these components. This amendment was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is part of their broader directive to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australian airspace. The policy objective is to mandate rigorous inspection and, where necessary, modification of the aileron hinge supports to prevent failures that could compromise flight safety. This regulatory amendment requires specific models of the Gulfstream (Rockwell) 112 Series aeroplanes to undergo a comprehensive inspection before further flights and an external visual inspection before each subsequent flight until modifications are made. Furthermore, it mandates that the modifications be performed within 100 hours’ time in service after the specified date, 15 August 1978, unless already completed as per previous service bulletins. The regulation allows the pilot in command to perform and certify the visual inspection, reinforcing the importance of safety checks at every flight stage.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Subpart 105, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandates specific safety directives for the Gulfstream (Rockwell) 112 Series Aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directives (AD). This legislative instrument applies to particular models and serial numbers of these aeroplanes, namely the Model 112 and 112B with serial numbers ranging from 13000 to 544, Model 112TC with serial numbers between 13001 and 13108, and Model 112TCA with serial numbers from 13150 to 13260. The directive requires an inspection and, if necessary, modification of the aileron hinge supports as detailed in Rockwell International Service Bulletin No. SB-112-60A. The compliance measures outlined include an initial inspection before further flight and subsequent visual inspections before each flight until modifications are made. The pilot in command is authorised to perform and certify the visual inspection. Additionally, the specified modifications must be carried out within 100 hours of time in service following 15 August 1978, unless they have already been completed in accordance with Service Bulletin No. SB-112-60. This directive applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for various aircraft, including the Gulfstream (Rockwell) 112 Series Aeroplanes. One such AD is AD/AC-112/8 Amendment 1, which pertains to aileron hinge supports and their inspection and modification (AD/AC-112/8 Amdt 1). This directive applies to certain models of the Gulfstream 112 series, including the 112, 112B, 112TC, and 112TCA, with specific serial numbers outlined in the document (section 1). The compliance instructions provided in the Rockwell International Service Bulletin (SB) No. SB-112-60A must be followed meticulously. The primary operative sections of the AD require that certain inspections and modifications be conducted on the aileron hinge supports of the specified Gulfstream 112 series aircraft. Initially, an inspection must be performed before further flight in accordance with Part 1 of SB No. 112-60A, unless it has already been completed as per SB No. 112-60. Following this initial inspection, an external visual inspection must be carried out before each subsequent flight until the modification is performed (section 1). Importantly, the pilot in command is authorised to perform and certify the visual inspection (section 1). Additionally, if the modification has not already been carried out as per SB No. 112-60, it must be performed within 100 hours’ time in service after 15 August 1978 (section 1). The AD imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties governed by the regulations. Primarily, aircraft operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the specified inspections and modifications are carried out on the aileron hinge supports of the affected Gulfstream 112 series aircraft. This includes conducting the initial inspection and subsequent external visual inspections before each flight, as well as performing the necessary modifications within the stipulated timeframe. The regulations allow the pilot in command to perform and certify the visual inspections, providing a level of flexibility in compliance (section 1). Failure to comply with the AD may result in various consequences, including potential breaches of civil aviation safety regulations. While the specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to serious repercussions. These can include fines, enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and potentially more severe penalties if the non-compliance results in an aviation incident or accident. The exact penalties would depend on the specific circumstances and the severity of the non-compliance (section 1).