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/68 Elevator Bungee Springs - Inspection 9/78
Applicability: All Rockwell Commander twin engine aeroplanes with S/Nos. 1 to 1876; All model 500S with S/Nos. 3050 to 3099; and
All model 681 with S/Nos. 6001 to 6060.
Document: Rockwell International SL No. 225A.
Compliance: Within 100 hours’ time in service after 30 September 1978.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, represent a comprehensive framework designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. A particular aspect of this legislation, detailed in Part 39 - 105, pertains to Airworthiness Directives that address specific safety concerns for certain types of aircraft. One such directive, AD/AC/68, specifically targets elevator bungee springs in the Twin Commander series of aeroplanes manufactured by Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander, models 500, 600, and 700. This directive was introduced to mitigate risks associated with potential failures of the elevator bungee springs, thereby enhancing overall flight safety. The regulation mandates that inspections be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1978, for the specified serial numbers of the Rockwell Commander aeroplanes, model 500S, and model 681, aiming to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the application of airworthiness directives for certain series of aeroplanes, including the Twin Commander models produced by Gulfstream, Rockwell, and Aerocommander, specifically those with serial numbers within the specified ranges. This directive applies to all Rockwell Commander twin-engine aeroplanes with serial numbers from 1 to 1876, all model 500S aeroplanes with serial numbers from 3050 to 3099, and all model 681 aeroplanes with serial numbers from 6001 to 6060. The directive requires an inspection of the elevator bungee springs to be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1978. The compliance must be documented as per Rockwell International Service Letter No. 225A. The geographical reach of this regulation is national, as it is a Commonwealth regulation impacting all aircraft registered in Australia that fall under the specified serial numbers. There are no exclusions or exemptions explicitly stated in the text, and the application is enforced through the issuance of airworthiness directives under the Civil Aviation Act 1988.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes the AD/AC/68 concerning the elevator bungee springs inspection for certain Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600, and 700) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all Rockwell Commander twin-engine aeroplanes with serial numbers 1 to 1876, all model 500S with serial numbers 3050 to 3099, and all model 681 with serial numbers 6001 to 6060 (section 39-105). The Rockwell International Service Letter No. 225A outlines the compliance requirements for these aircraft.
Under this directive, operators must ensure that the elevator bungee springs of the specified aircraft are inspected within 100 hours of time in service following 30 September 1978. The inspection must adhere to the detailed guidelines provided by Rockwell International to ascertain that the bungee springs are in good condition and functioning as intended. Failure to comply with these inspection requirements can result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, thereby preventing it from operating until the deficiencies are rectified.
Operators and owners of the affected aircraft are obligated to maintain detailed records of all inspections and repairs performed in accordance with the AD/AC/68 directive. These records must be readily available for inspection by CASA inspectors. Additionally, any modifications or repairs to the elevator bungee springs must be conducted by personnel who are appropriately certified and trained, ensuring that all work meets the standards set forth by the regulations.
Failure to adhere to the provisions of AD/AC/68 can result in significant consequences. Civil penalties may be imposed, and in more severe cases, criminal charges could be brought against individuals or corporations responsible for non-compliance. The maximum penalties for breaches of civil aviation regulations can include substantial fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity and intent of the violation. It is crucial for operators and owners to understand and comply with these requirements to ensure the continued airworthiness of their aircraft and to avoid the legal repercussions associated with non-compliance.