AD/AMD 20/20 - Horizontal Stabiliser Attachment Fittings

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, includes the Airworthiness Directives established by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). One such directive, AD/AMD 20/20, pertains to the Falcon 20/Mystere-Falcon 200 series aeroplanes and was introduced to address issues related to stress corrosion cracking of the stabilizer attachment lugs. This directive was enacted to ensure the safety and reliability of the specified aircraft models. The policy objective behind this directive is to mandate regular inspections and maintenance of the horizontal stabilizer attachment fittings to prevent potential structural failures, thus enhancing aviation safety. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for models D, E, F, G, and GF within 200 hours of time in service after 30 November 1987, ensuring that the identified risk is promptly and effectively managed.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, governs the airworthiness directives for aircraft operating in Australian airspace, including the application to the Fan Jet Falcon (Falcon 20/Mystere-Falcon 200) series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all models D, E, F, G, and GF of the mentioned aircraft series and mandates compliance with the stipulated inspection procedures to ensure the structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer attachments. The directive requires either the removal and inspection of the horizontal stabilizer fittings in accordance with the specifications provided by the manufacturer, or an in-situ inspection utilising a non-destructive inspection procedure that has been approved by the Secretary. The compliance deadline for these inspections is set at 200 hours of time in service following 30 November 1987, reflecting the urgency and importance of addressing the reported issue of stress corrosion cracking in the stabilizer attachment lugs. This regulation extends to all entities and persons involved in the operation of the specified aircraft within Australia, including commercial operators, private owners, and maintenance service providers.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), issues Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. Specifically, AD/AMD 20/20 pertains to the Falcon 20/Mystere-Falcon 200 series aeroplanes, focusing on the horizontal stabiliser attachment fittings for models D, E, F, G, and GF (section 2/88DM). The directive mandates that operators either remove the horizontal stabiliser to inspect the fittings according to the manufacturer's guidelines in paragraph 2.C(2)(b) of the Avions Marcel Dassault SB AMD-BA FJF-A709 manual, or conduct an in-situ inspection using a non-destructive inspection (NDI) procedure approved by the Secretary (section 2/88DM). Compliance with these requirements is mandatory within 200 hours of time in service after 30 November 1987. Operators and entities governed by this directive must adhere to strict inspection protocols to ensure the safety and integrity of the horizontal stabiliser fittings. This includes either physically removing the stabiliser for a thorough inspection or employing an approved NDI method to inspect the fittings while they remain attached to the aircraft. Such inspections are essential to detect any signs of stress corrosion cracking, which the manufacturer has identified as a potential issue in the stabiliser attachment lugs. Ensuring compliance involves meticulous record-keeping and timely execution of the mandated inspections, which are critical for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/AMD 20/20 can result in severe consequences. CASA has the authority to impose penalties for non-compliance, which may include fines or other sanctions. The specific penalties can vary, but they are designed to enforce adherence to safety standards. In extreme cases, non-compliance might lead to the grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections are completed and the issues are resolved. This underscores the importance of timely and accurate compliance to avoid potential safety risks and legal repercussions.