AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700) Series Aeroplanes
AD/AC/99 Wing and Fuselage Structure 7/2003
Applicability: Model 690D aircraft, serial numbers 15001 through 15036, and 15038 through 15040.
Model 695A aircraft, serial numbers 96001 through 96062, 96065 through 96068,
96070, 96071, 96073, 96074, 96076, 96077, 96079 through 96084, 96086, 96087,
and 96089 through 96100.
Model 695B aircraft, serial numbers 96063, 96069, 96075, 96078, 96085, and 96204
through 96208.
Requirement: 1. Initially inspect and modify the wing and fuselage areas (Part I Inspection
/Modifications as identified in Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 214, dated 26 January 2000) and repetitively inspect with necessary modification or replacement of damaged parts (Part II Recurring Inspections as identified in MSB No. 214, in accordance with the following schedules:
- Part I Initial Inspections/Modifications: Initially (unless already accomplished) accomplish the Part I Inspections/Modifications at whichever compliance time in Requirement 1.a.(i) or 1.a.(ii) occurs later:
(i) The compliance times presented in Part I Table I of MSB No. 214 as amended by; Twin Commander Corporation Service Publications (SP) revision notice to MSB No. 214, Revision 1, Release Date: 19 April 2000; and SP revision notice to MSB No. 214, Revision 2, Release Date: 21 May 2001; or,
(ii) MSB 214 Table A Compliance Times.
b. Part II Recurring Inspections: Repetitively inspect as referenced in Part II Recurring Inspections on page 62 of MSB No. 214 as amended by; SP revision notice to MSB No.214, Revision 1; and SP revision notice to MSB No. 214, Revision 2.
Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700) Series Aeroplanes
AD/AC/99 (continued)
c. Mandatory Replacements and Modifications: If any damage is found during any inspection required by Requirement 1, 1.a., and 1.b., before further flight, replace or modify the part as specified in MSB No. 214 as amended by; SP revision notice to MSB No. 214, Revision 1; and SP revision notice to MSB No. 214, Revision 2.
Note: FAA AD2003-07-03 Amendment 39-13099 refers
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement part of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 10 July 2003.
Background: The FAA requires inspection and modification of areas of the wing and fuselage structure for fatigue damage. Fatigue tests show that the service life of certain aircraft parts cannot be reached unless an inspection and modification program is incorporated.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 30 May 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 18 June 2003.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) F2006B02160, issued in 2003 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, is aimed at addressing the issue of fatigue damage in the wing and fuselage structures of specific Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600 and 700) Series Aeroplanes. This directive was enacted to ensure the continued safety of these aircraft by mandating a series of inspections and modifications based on findings from fatigue tests which revealed that certain parts of the aircraft could not achieve their intended service life without a dedicated inspection and modification program. The policy objective of this AD is to mitigate the risk of structural failure due to fatigue, thereby maintaining the airworthiness of the affected aircraft and ensuring the safety of passengers and crew.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies specifically to certain models of Twin Commander aircraft, including the Model 690D, Model 695A, and Model 695B series, within defined serial number ranges. The directive mandates that these aircraft must undergo initial and recurring inspections and modifications to their wing and fuselage structures to address identified fatigue damage, as outlined in Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 214 and subsequent revisions. This requirement is to be conducted in accordance with the specific schedules and procedures detailed in the bulletin and must be completed at the specified compliance times to ensure continued airworthiness. The directive applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, and it becomes effective as of 10 July 2003.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998 mandates specific actions for certain Twin Commander (Gulfstream/Rockwell/Aerocommander 500, 600, and 700) series aeroplanes to address identified unsafe conditions. These aircraft include Model 690D with serial numbers 15001 through 15036 and 15038 through 15040, Model 695A with serial numbers 96001 through 96062, 96065 through 96068, 96070, 96071, 96073, 96074, 96076, 96077, 96079 through 96084, 96086, 96087, and 96089 through 96100, and Model 695B with serial numbers 96063, 96069, 96075, 96078, 96085, and 96204 through 96208. The directive requires initial inspections and modifications of the wing and fuselage areas, as detailed in Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 214 dated 26 January 2000. This must be done either by the later of the compliance times listed in Part I Table I of MSB No. 214 or MSB 214 Table A Compliance Times, as amended by Twin Commander Corporation Service Publications (SP) revision notices. Additionally, repetitive inspections with necessary modifications or replacements of damaged parts are required, as outlined in Part II Recurring Inspections of MSB No. 214, which should be carried out according to the specified schedules.
The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and specific. Aircraft owners or operators must ensure that the required inspections and modifications are performed on the specified aircraft models and serial numbers. This includes conducting the initial inspections and modifications as per MSB No. 214, followed by repetitive inspections as per the recurring inspections schedule. If any damage is detected during these inspections, the specified parts must be replaced or modified in accordance with MSB No. 214. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to serious consequences, as outlined in the following section.
Breaches of this Airworthiness Directive can result in significant legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces compliance, and non-compliance can lead to civil penalties. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, the maximum penalty for contravening an AD can be substantial, potentially amounting to thousands of dollars. Additionally, operating an aircraft that does not meet the required airworthiness standards can lead to criminal charges, including imprisonment for individuals, and fines for corporations. The severity of the penalties reflects the importance of adhering to these directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.