AD/AL 60/9 - Centre Elevator Hinge Bearing Assembly - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, aim to ensure safety and efficiency in civil aviation operations within the country. Part 39 - 105 of these regulations includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which is designed to address specific safety concerns and ensure compliance with airworthiness standards. The directive AD/AL 60/9, issued under this framework, pertains specifically to the Aermacchi-Lockheed AL 60 Series aeroplanes, mandating an inspection of the centre elevator hinge bearing assembly. This directive applies to models AL 60 and AL 60B with serial numbers prior to 60/6240, requiring compliance within intervals not exceeding 25 hours’ time in service after 1 September 1971. The policy objective behind such directives is to mitigate potential safety risks by enforcing regular inspections and maintenance of critical components, thereby enhancing the overall safety of air operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the scope and application of airworthiness directives for particular aircraft types, with AD/AL 60/9 focusing on the Aermacchi - Lockheed AL 60 Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to models AL 60 and AL 60B with serial numbers prior to 60/6240, necessitating inspections of the centre elevator hinge bearing assembly. The directive mandates compliance at intervals not exceeding 25 hours’ time in service after 1 September 1971. The regulation applies to aircraft operators, maintenance personnel, and any entities involved in the operation or maintenance of the specified aircraft models. The jurisdictional reach of this regulation is governed by the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniform compliance across the nation. While the regulation itself does not detail specific exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, it can be further extended or restricted by subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates adherence to Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Section 39.105 of the Regulations outlines the necessity for compliance with ADs to ensure that aircraft meet the necessary safety standards. The particular AD/AL 60/9 pertains to the Aermacchi - Lockheed AL 60 Series aeroplanes, requiring a thorough inspection of the centre elevator hinge bearing assembly for models AL 60 and AL 60B with serial numbers prior to 60/6240. This directive is documented in Aermacchi Lockheed 60 SB No. 11 and necessitates compliance at intervals not exceeding 25 hours of time in service after 1 September 1971. The obligations imposed by this AD require aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to ensure that the specified inspection of the centre elevator hinge bearing assembly is conducted according to the stipulated intervals. Operators must maintain accurate records of when the inspections were performed and ensure that any necessary repairs or replacements are completed to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Compliance with AD/AL 60/9 is critical to preventing mechanical failures that could compromise the safety of the flight. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/AL 60/9 can result in serious civil and criminal consequences. Under Section 92 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, operators who fail to comply with an Airworthiness Directive can face substantial penalties. The maximum penalty for an individual is a fine of up to $1,650, while corporate entities may face fines of up to $82,500. Additionally, CASA has the authority to issue directives to suspend or revoke an aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness if the operator fails to comply with the AD. Such actions can result in the grounding of the affected aircraft, leading to operational disruptions and potential financial losses for the operator.