AD/AC/38 - Emergency Exit Latch - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Parliament of Australia to provide a comprehensive regulatory framework governing all aspects of civil aviation within Australia. Part 39 of these regulations includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft operations. One such directive, AD/AC/38, pertains to the inspection of emergency exit latches in specific Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600, and 700) series aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers between 1261 and 1700. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns related to the functionality of emergency exit latches in these aircraft models, ensuring that they meet the necessary safety standards within 100 hours of service after 22 February 1968. The overarching policy objective of these regulations is to maintain the highest possible standards of safety in civil aviation operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to the aviation industry in Australia, with the specific regulation pertaining to the Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700) series aeroplanes outlined in Part 39 - 105. This regulation targets specific models, namely the 680FL, 680FL(P), 680T and 680V with serial numbers ranging from 1261 to 1700, mandating that these aircraft undergo inspections of their emergency exit latches. The regulation aims to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft by imposing compliance within 100 hours’ time in service after 22 February 1968. This regulation extends across the entire Commonwealth of Australia, enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions mentioned in the text, implying that all specified aircraft must adhere to the regulation. The regulation may be further defined or extended through subordinate instruments, which could provide additional details or clarify procedural aspects of compliance.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, mandate specific airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models. Specifically, AD/AC/38 pertains to the inspection of emergency exit latches on Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600, and 700) series aeroplanes, particularly models 680FL, 680FL(P), 680T, and 680V with serial numbers ranging from 1261 to 1700 (section 39.105). Compliance with these directives is required within 100 hours of time in service after 22 February 1968, as detailed in Aero Commander Service Letter No. 205. Entities governed by these regulations must ensure that the emergency exit latches are inspected and maintained as per the outlined directives. This requirement is critical to maintaining the safety and operational integrity of the aircraft. The inspections must be conducted meticulously to ensure that the emergency exit latches function correctly and can be reliably operated in emergency situations. Compliance involves detailed checks and documentation to demonstrate adherence to the specified safety standards. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to serious consequences. Operators who neglect these inspections may face regulatory action, including fines or other penalties. The severity of the penalties can vary, but under Australian law, non-compliance with civil aviation regulations can lead to significant financial penalties, operational restrictions, or even grounding of the affected aircraft. The exact penalties are determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and can include substantial fines, depending on the severity and frequency of the breach.