AD/AC/62 - Forward and Aft Inboard Wing Spar Cap Rivets - Inspection and Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, was enacted to maintain the safety standards in civil aviation within Australia. This legislation was introduced to address specific issues concerning the airworthiness of certain aircraft models, particularly the Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600, and 700) series aeroplanes. The Australian Parliament enacted this regulation under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, aiming to ensure that all aircraft operating within Australia meet the necessary safety standards. This particular directive under the Civil Aviation Regulations focuses on the inspection and replacement of forward and aft inboard wing spar cap rivets to mitigate potential safety risks associated with these components. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has established this directive to ensure that specific models of Twin Commander aircraft, with serial numbers within the specified range, undergo rigorous inspections and necessary maintenance. The policy objective is to enhance the safety and reliability of these aircraft by addressing structural integrity issues through timely inspections and required replacements of critical components. Compliance with these directives is mandatory for the specified aircraft models, ensuring they meet the regulatory requirements set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, establish regulations pertinent to airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models. One such directive, AD/AC/62, pertains to the inspection and replacement of forward and aft inboard wing spar cap rivets on Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600, and 700) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all models 690, 690A, and 690B with serial numbers ranging from 11000 to 11366, 11368, 11369, 11370, and 11371. The requirement mandates an initial inspection before further flight, unless an inspection has been conducted within the preceding 25 hours of time in service, and subsequent inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 25 hours of time in service until the rivets are replaced. Additionally, the rivets must be replaced no later than the next major inspection following 30 April 1977. Compliance with this directive is ensured through references to Rockwell International Service Bulletin No. 163 or FAA AD 77-03-01 Amendment 39-2823.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain directives concerning the airworthiness of certain aircraft models. Section 39 - 105 focuses on Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600, and 700) series aeroplanes, providing detailed instructions on the inspection and replacement of forward and aft inboard wing spar cap rivets (Section 39 - 105.04). These directives are applicable to specific models and serial numbers of the aircraft, namely models 690, 690A, and 690B with serial numbers ranging from 11000 to 11366, 11368, 11369, 11370, and 11371. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and is achieved through adherence to specified procedures, such as Rockwell International Service Bulletin No. 163 or FAA AD 77-03-01 Amendment 39-2823. The obligations imposed by these regulations require operators to conduct an initial inspection of the specified wing spar cap rivets before further flight, provided it was not completed within the preceding 25 hours of time in service. Subsequent inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 25 hours of time in service until the rivets are replaced. Furthermore, these rivets must be replaced no later than the next major inspection following 30 April 1977. This ensures the continued airworthiness of the aircraft by addressing structural integrity issues that could potentially compromise safety. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Section 39 - 105, can result in serious consequences. The regulations do not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance within the provided text, but non-compliance with civil aviation safety directives generally can lead to severe repercussions. These can include fines, enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and potential grounding of the aircraft. Such breaches not only risk financial penalties but can also endanger the safety of passengers and crew, leading to criminal charges in cases of gross negligence or willful disregard for safety regulations.