AD/AC/73 - Wing Fasteners - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, provide comprehensive rules for ensuring safety and efficiency in civil aviation. Among these, Part 39 specifically addresses airworthiness directives, including safety measures for various aircraft models. One such directive is AD/AC/73, which pertains to the Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/ Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700) series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the issue of insufficient fastener strength in the engine nacelle area, necessitating modifications to ensure compliance with safety standards. The policy objective behind these regulations is to enhance the overall safety of air travel by enforcing strict airworthiness criteria on aircraft operations. Compliance with these directives is mandatory for maintaining the operational safety of specified aircraft models, as outlined in the directive.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as outlined in Part 39 - 105, pertain specifically to the maintenance and safety of certain Twin Commander aeroplanes, namely the Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600, and 700 series. This legislative instrument mandates the implementation of Airworthiness Directives (AD) for specific models and serial numbers within this series, ensuring compliance with safety standards to mitigate risks associated with fastener strength in the engine nacelle area. The directive applies to all models 690, 690A, and 690B with serial numbers ranging from 11001 to 11566, excluding serial number 11006, and necessitates modifications to be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1981. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of these regulations is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia and overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The application of this Act extends through subordinate instruments, which may provide further clarification or detail regarding compliance and enforcement mechanisms.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, detail the requirements and procedures for ensuring the airworthiness of specific aircraft models. Section (7/81) outlines the need for a modification to the wing fasteners for Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600, and 700) series aeroplanes. This modification is mandated to enhance the strength of the fasteners in the engine nacelle area. The compliance period for these modifications is within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1981. The document referenced is Gulfstream American (Commander Division) Service Bulletin No. 182, which provides detailed instructions on how to implement these changes. The obligations imposed by these regulations are clear and specific. Aircraft operators and owners must ensure that the specified modifications are carried out on the applicable models (690, 690A, and 690B) with serial numbers between 11001 and 11566, excluding 11006. This includes performing the modifications within the stipulated timeframe of 100 hours after 31 July 1981. Additionally, operators must keep records of compliance, including documentation of the modifications performed and certification that the work has been completed correctly. The regulations mandate that these modifications are essential for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft, ensuring safety standards are met. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can result in civil penalties. Specifically, an operator who fails to comply with an airworthiness directive can face a penalty of up to $105,000. In addition to financial penalties, non-compliance may also lead to the grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are completed. This not only incurs financial costs but also operational disruptions. Furthermore, continued operation of a non-compliant aircraft poses significant safety risks, potentially leading to more severe consequences if an incident occurs. Therefore, adherence to these directives is not just a regulatory requirement but a critical safety imperative.