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/69 Main Landing Gear Torque Link Pin Retaining Bolt - Inspection
9/78
Applicability: All models 500A, 500B, 500U, 500S, 560F, 680F(P), 680FL, 680FL(P), 680T, 680V
and 680W with S/Nos. 871 to 1876, and Model 500S with S/Nos. 3050 and subsequent; All model 681 with S/Nos. 6001 to 6072;
All model 685 with S/Nos. 1200 to 12066;
All models 690, 690A and 690B with S/Nos. 11001 and subsequent.
Document: Rockwell International SL No. 319.
Compliance: Within 25 hours’ time in service after 22 August 1978.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, were enacted to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia, thereby addressing the need for a comprehensive framework governing all aspects of civil aviation operations. Part 39, specifically, addresses the issuance of airworthiness directives to ensure that aircraft remain in a condition that allows safe operation. This particular legislative instrument, AD/AC/69, targets the inspection of the main landing gear torque link pin retaining bolt for certain Twin Commander series aeroplanes, aiming to maintain the integrity and safety of these aircraft through regular compliance checks. The policy objective is to ensure the continued airworthiness of the specified aircraft models by mandating timely inspections, thereby reducing the risk of mechanical failure and enhancing flight safety.
The legislative instrument AD/AC/69 was issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address specific safety concerns identified in the Twin Commander series aeroplanes. The directive mandates that inspections be conducted on the main landing gear torque link pin retaining bolt within 25 hours of the aircraft’s time in service following the specified date. This directive applies to certain serial numbers of the Twin Commander aeroplanes, ensuring that these aircraft meet the required safety standards and thus mitigating potential risks associated with mechanical failure.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Twin Commander series aeroplanes (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700) that meet certain serial number ranges as specified within the AD/AC/69 directive. This legislation mandates an inspection of the main landing gear torque link pin retaining bolt for specified models. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia. It applies to all entities and individuals who own or operate these specific models of aircraft within the outlined serial number ranges. The directive does not specify exclusions or exemptions but mandates compliance within 25 hours’ time in service after 22 August 1978. The application of this regulation may be further extended or clarified through subordinate instruments or additional directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR) pertaining to the AD/AC/69 mandate a specific inspection procedure for the main landing gear torque link pin retaining bolt of certain Twin Commander aeroplanes. Section 39-105 of the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) requires that this inspection be conducted on all specified models and serial numbers of the Twin Commander series. The inspection must be completed within 25 hours of the aeroplane's time in service after the publication date of 22 August 1978, as detailed in Rockwell International SL No. 319.
The AD imposes obligations on the operators of the specified Twin Commander aeroplanes to ensure that the inspection of the main landing gear torque link pin retaining bolt is carried out within the stipulated timeframe. Operators must maintain records of the inspections performed and ensure that any necessary repairs or replacements are made in accordance with the requirements set forth in the AD. Furthermore, the AD necessitates that the inspections are performed by appropriately qualified and certified personnel who are familiar with the specific procedures outlined in the referenced Rockwell document.
Failure to comply with the requirements of the AD/AC/69 may result in various consequences. Firstly, non-compliance could lead to the aeroplane being deemed unairworthy, which would prevent it from being operated until the required inspections and necessary repairs are completed. Additionally, operators who fail to comply with the AD may be subject to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include administrative penalties, such as fines, or more severe consequences such as the suspension or revocation of the operator’s licence. The specific penalties are determined by CASA, taking into account the severity and frequency of the non-compliance, as well as any potential safety risks posed by the failure to comply with the AD.