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/67 Goodyear Fuel Cells - Inspection 6/78
Applicability: Models: 500, 500A, 500B, 500U, 560A, 560E, 560F, 680, 680E, 680F, 680F(P), 680FL, 680FL(P), 680T, 680V, 680W and 720 with S/Nos. 231 to 1969; 500S with
S/Nos. 3050 and on; 681 with S/Nos. 6001 to 6072; 685 with S/Nos. 12000 to 12066; 690, 690A and 690B with S/Nos. 11001 and on; fitted with Goodyear BTC-39 fuel cells.
Document: Rockwell International SB No. 165.
Compliance: Within 100 hours’ time in service after 30 June 1978 and annually thereafter as detailed in Rockwell International SB No. 165.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve as a comprehensive regulatory framework to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations focuses on the airworthiness directives, addressing specific issues and requirements to maintain the safety standards of aircraft. One such directive is AD/AC/67, which pertains to the inspection of Goodyear Fuel Cells in Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600, and 700) series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address potential safety concerns related to the fuel cells in these specific models. The policy objective is to ensure that all affected aircraft are inspected and maintained in accordance with the specified requirements to prevent any operational hazards. Compliance with these airworthiness directives is mandatory, and failure to adhere to the stipulated inspection schedules can result in significant safety risks.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, mandate the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to issue Airworthiness Directives concerning specific aircraft models, in this case, the Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/ Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700) series aeroplanes. This particular directive pertains to Goodyear Fuel Cells and requires an inspection according to the specifications outlined in AD/AC/67. The directive applies to specific models and serial numbers of Twin Commander aeroplanes equipped with Goodyear BTC-39 fuel cells, such as the 500, 500A, 500B, 500U, 560A, 560E, 560F, 680, 680E, 680F, 680F(P), 680FL, 680FL(P), 680T, 680V, 680W, and 720, as well as specific serial numbers for models 500S, 681, 685, 690, 690A, and 690B. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for operators of these aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, necessitating an inspection within 100 hours’ time in service after 30 June 1978, followed by annual inspections as detailed in Rockwell International Service Bulletin No. 165. The directive’s reach is limited to the specified aircraft models and serial numbers, and it does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate adherence to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. Section AD/AC/67 focuses on the inspection of Goodyear Fuel Cells in Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/ Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700) series aeroplanes. This directive is applicable to various models, including the 500, 500A, 500B, 500U, 560A, 560E, 560F, 680, 680E, 680F, 680F(P), 680FL, 680FL(P), 680T, 680V, 680W, 720, 500S, 681, 685, 690, 690A, and 690B, provided they are equipped with Goodyear BTC-39 fuel cells. Compliance with this directive is detailed in Rockwell International Service Bulletin No. 165, which specifies the inspection requirements.
Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that inspections are conducted within 100 hours’ time in service after 30 June 1978 and annually thereafter, as outlined in Rockwell International SB No. 165. The directive requires that these inspections are thorough and meet the standards set by CASA to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Non-compliance with these inspections could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential operational grounding and safety hazards.
The obligations imposed by this legislation require operators to maintain detailed records of all inspections carried out on the Goodyear Fuel Cells in accordance with the specified timelines. These records must be readily available for inspection by CASA officials to verify compliance. Failure to maintain accurate and up-to-date records may result in regulatory penalties. Operators must also ensure that any identified issues with the fuel cells are addressed promptly and that any required repairs or replacements are performed by qualified personnel.
Failure to comply with the inspection requirements or to maintain proper records may result in significant legal and financial consequences. Civil penalties may include fines up to a maximum of $111,111 for individuals and $555,555 for corporations, as per the relevant provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Additionally, operators may face criminal charges that could result in imprisonment, reflecting the serious nature of ensuring airworthiness and safety in aviation operations.