AD/AL 60/12 - Empennage Centre Plane Assembly - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B02297, address the need for stringent safety measures in civil aviation to ensure the continued airworthiness of aircraft. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which mandates regular inspections and maintenance actions to prevent potential safety issues. The directive AD/AL 60/12 concerning the Aermacchi - Lockheed AL 60 Series Aeroplanes was introduced to address identified structural concerns, particularly with the empennage centre plane assembly, which is critical for the aircraft’s stability and control. This directive was enacted by the Australian Parliament under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, aiming to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation by requiring inspections within specific time intervals to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft models.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, as amended, pertain to the airworthiness directives under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. One such directive, AD/AL 60/12, applies to the Aermacchi-Lockheed AL 60 Series Aeroplanes, with a particular focus on the Model AL 60-B2. The directive mandates a specific inspection of the empennage centre plane assembly, with the compliance requirement being to perform this inspection within 100 hours’ time in service after 28 February 1975, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours’ time in service. This regulation applies to all relevant aircraft operating within Australia, ensuring that they meet the necessary safety standards as stipulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions but is subject to the overarching provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. Section AD/AL 60/12 pertains to the Aermacchi-Lockheed AL 60 Series aeroplanes, focusing on the empennage centre plane assembly inspection. The directive applies to the Model AL 60-B2 aeroplanes, as outlined in Aermacchi Lockheed Service Bulletin No. SB-L-0002. The inspection must be carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1975 and then at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. The regulations impose specific obligations on the operators and maintenance personnel of the AL 60-B2 aeroplanes. They must ensure that the empennage centre plane assembly is inspected in accordance with the detailed procedures provided in the Service Bulletin. This involves a thorough examination of the assembly to detect any signs of wear, damage, or other conditions that could compromise the safety of the aircraft. The inspection must be conducted by appropriately certified personnel, and any findings must be documented and addressed according to the Service Bulletin's guidelines. Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive AD/AL 60/12 can result in serious consequences. According to the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an AD can be considered an offence. The penalties for such an offence can include fines and imprisonment. The maximum penalties are specified in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and can vary depending on the severity of the breach and the potential risk to aviation safety. These penalties are designed to enforce adherence to safety standards and to ensure that all operations are conducted in a manner that protects the public and maintains the integrity of the aviation system.