AD/AC/40 - Engine Mount Yoke - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through legislative instrument F2006B02099, represent a key piece of Australian legislation aimed at ensuring the safety and compliance of civil aviation operations within the country. This regulation, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, was introduced to address specific safety concerns related to certain aircraft models, in this instance the Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/ Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700) series aeroplanes. The regulation mandates specific inspections and compliance procedures, particularly focusing on the engine mount yoke of certain series aeroplanes, to ensure that these aircraft maintain the required safety standards throughout their operational life. The overarching policy objective is to enhance airworthiness and prevent potential safety hazards that could arise from the identified issues, thereby safeguarding the integrity and reliability of civil aviation activities in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the application of Airworthiness Directives concerning the inspection of the engine mount yoke for certain Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700) Series Aeroplanes. This regulation applies to aircraft of the 680T, 680V and 680W series, with serial numbers ranging from 1473 to 1850, that have accumulated more than 500 hours of total time in service. Compliance with this directive necessitates that inspections are conducted within 100 hours’ time in service following 15 April 1969 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours’ time in service. The directive is based on Aero Commander Service Bulletin No. 94, and the overarching authority for enforcement and adherence to these regulations lies with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, addresses the maintenance and safety requirements for certain aircraft through Airworthiness Directives (ADs). Section AD/AC/40 pertains to the inspection of the engine mount yoke for Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/ Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700) Series Aeroplanes, particularly for aircraft in the 680T, 680V, and 680W series with serial numbers ranging from 1473 to 1850 that have accumulated more than 500 hours of total service time (s. 105.01). Compliance with this directive is mandated within 100 hours of service following 15 April 1969 and must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of service thereafter (s. 105.02). The obligations imposed by this directive include regular and thorough inspections of the engine mount yoke as specified. Operators and owners of the affected aircraft must ensure that inspections are conducted by appropriately qualified personnel, using the guidelines outlined in Aero Commander Service Bulletin No. 94. This bulletin serves as a reference for the procedures and standards that must be met to maintain airworthiness (s. 105.03). Failure to comply with these inspection requirements could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft, leading to safety risks during flight operations (s. 105.04). Breaching the provisions set forth in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in severe consequences. Operators and owners who fail to adhere to the stipulated inspection intervals may face regulatory action from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This can include fines, enforcement notices, or even the grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved (s. 105.05). The maximum penalties for non-compliance with ADs can vary, but typically include substantial financial penalties and potential criminal charges for serious breaches that result in significant safety risks or incidents (s. 105.06). These measures are in place to ensure that all civil aviation operations maintain the highest standards of safety and reliability.