AD/AC/22 - Induction Air Control Valves and Mounting Shafts - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, was enacted to establish comprehensive regulations governing the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation provides the legal framework for ensuring the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. A specific focus of the 1998 Regulations is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives to address identified safety issues with particular aircraft models. One such directive is AD/AC/22, which pertains to the replacement of induction air control valves and mounting shafts in Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700) series aeroplanes. This directive aims to mitigate risks associated with these components, ensuring continued compliance with safety standards for affected aircraft models. The directive applies to Aero Commander Model 680F with serial numbers ranging from 871 to 1170, mandating immediate compliance as per the referenced Aero Commander Service Bulletin No. 76A or the Federal Aviation Administration AD 62-5-1.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued Airworthiness Directive AD/AC/22, which applies specifically to Twin Commander series aeroplanes (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600, and 700) with model numbers 680F and serial numbers ranging from 871 to 1170. The directive mandates the replacement of induction air control valves and their mounting shafts to ensure compliance with the specified aeronautical standards. This requirement applies to operators and owners of these particular aircraft models within the Australian jurisdiction, enforced by CASA to maintain the airworthiness and safety of these aircraft. The directive is to be complied with immediately, as specified in the document references: Aero Commander Service Bulletin No. 76A or FAA Airworthiness Directive 62-5-1. There are no exclusions or exemptions noted in the directive, and its application is enforced nationally across Australia by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700) Series Aeroplanes. The directive in question, AD/AC/22, pertains to the induction air control valves and mounting shafts of the Model 680F, serial numbers 871 to 1170. This directive mandates compliance with either Aero Commander Service Bulletin No. 76A or FAA AD 62-5-1. The compliance requirement is immediate, indicating that any necessary actions must be taken forthwith (AD/AC/22). The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and precise. Owners and operators of the specified aircraft must ensure that the induction air control valves and mounting shafts are replaced as per the directives issued by either Aero Commander or the FAA. This involves following the detailed instructions and procedures laid out in the referenced service bulletins or ADs. The compliance must be documented and verified to ensure that the aircraft meet the necessary safety standards. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/AC/22 can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations impose both civil and potentially criminal penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Civil penalties may include fines, and in severe cases, the aircraft may be grounded until compliance is achieved. From a criminal perspective, non-compliance can lead to prosecution, with potential penalties including substantial fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance. The specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the text, but they are significant, reflecting the importance of adhering to these safety mandates.