COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/ Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700) Series Aeroplanes
AD/AC/17A Landing Gear Truss Attach Angle - Inspection 12/67
Applicability: All models: S/Nos. 231 to 892 except 875. Document: Aero Commander SL No. 77A.
Compliance: At intervals not exceeding 1000 hours’ time in service.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, address issues related to the safety and regulation of civil aviation within the country. This legislation is part of a broader framework aimed at ensuring that aviation operations meet necessary safety standards. One specific legislative instrument, F2006B02076, focuses on the Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700) series aeroplanes, specifically targeting the inspection of the landing gear truss attach angle. This directive, identified as AD/AC/17A, applies to all models with serial numbers ranging from 231 to 892, excluding 875, as documented in Aero Commander SL No. 77A. The objective is to ensure compliance with inspection intervals not exceeding 1000 hours of time in service, thereby maintaining the airworthiness of these aircraft and enhancing overall aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) scheduling of airworthiness directives for the Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600, and 700) series aeroplanes. This regulation mandates that all Twin Commander aircraft with serial numbers between 231 and 892, excluding serial number 875, must adhere to the requirements outlined in Aero Commander Service Letter No. 77A. This includes performing inspections of the landing gear truss attach angle at intervals not exceeding 1,000 hours of time in service to ensure compliance with airworthiness standards. The regulations apply nationally, encompassing all operators and owners of the specified aircraft within Australia, subject to the jurisdictional authority of CASA. The regulation does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, nor does it mention the use of subordinate instruments to extend or restrict its application.
Key Provisions
The key sections of this legislation, specifically under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, pertain to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700) series aeroplanes. The directive in question, AD/AC/17A, concerns the landing gear truss attach angle and mandates inspections at intervals not exceeding 1000 hours of time in service for all models with serial numbers from 231 to 892, excluding 875 (Section 12/67). Compliance with this directive is documented in the Aero Commander SL No. 77A.
The obligations imposed by this Act are straightforward yet critical. Aircraft operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the specified inspection intervals are strictly adhered to. This means conducting a thorough inspection of the landing gear truss attach angle at intervals not exceeding 1000 hours of flight time. These inspections are crucial to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew.
Failure to comply with the stipulated inspection intervals can lead to severe consequences. The regulations do not explicitly state offences or penalties within this particular directive, but non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to enforcement actions by CASA. These actions can include grounding of the aircraft, fines, or even criminal charges in cases of gross negligence. The maximum penalties for breaches of civil aviation safety regulations can be significant, including substantial fines and potential imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety.
Given the critical nature of landing gear inspections, it is imperative that all parties governed by this Act understand and adhere to the requirements. Non-compliance not only risks the safety of the aircraft but can also result in substantial legal and financial repercussions. It is essential for operators and maintenance personnel to meticulously document all inspections and ensure that the aircraft remains in compliance with the CASA directives to avoid any potential legal issues.
In conclusion, the AD/AC/17A directive under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 is a vital component of ensuring the safety and airworthiness of Twin Commander series aeroplanes. The mandate for regular inspections of the landing gear truss attach angle is clear and must be adhered to within the specified timeframe. The potential consequences of non-compliance are severe, highlighting the importance of strict adherence to the regulations to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation.