AD/AMD 20/26 - Wing to Fuselage Upper Fairings

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Regulations 1998, include a range of provisions aimed at ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft in Australian airspace. One such amendment is AD/AMD 20/26, which pertains specifically to the Mystere Falcon 200 series aeroplanes. This Airworthiness Directive was introduced to address concerns about the integrity and security of the wing to fuselage upper fairings on these aircraft. The problem it was designed to resolve involves the potential for damage or detachment of these fairings, which could compromise the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft in flight. The directive was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority granted by the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The policy objective is to ensure that any potential issues with the upper fairings are identified and rectified to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, applies to the maintenance and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia. This particular regulation is pertinent to the Mystere Falcon 200 series aeroplanes, which must adhere to the outlined airworthiness directives. The regulation mandates that unless already completed, the wing to fuselage upper fairings must be checked for any damage and their security must be ensured, with cup washers added beneath the screw heads of the vertical seam screws as per the Mystere Falcon 200 Maintenance Manual Rev 12. Compliance with these directives must be achieved before 31 August 1997 or within 330 hours of time in service after 30 January 1997, whichever is earlier. Subsequent inspections are required at intervals not exceeding six months or 300 hours of time in service, whichever is sooner. This directive is effective as of 30 January 1997 and aims to prevent the loss of wing to fuselage upper fairings, thereby ensuring the continued safety of the aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39-105 under the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, detail the requirements for the maintenance of Mystere Falcon 200 series aeroplanes, focusing on the wing to fuselage upper fairings (section 2/97). According to this directive, operators of Mystere Falcon 200 aircraft must ensure that the wing to fuselage upper fairings are inspected for damage and checked for security. If not already addressed, operators must add cup washers beneath the screw heads of the vertical seam screws of these fairings, following the procedure outlined in the Mystere Falcon 200 Maintenance Manual Rev 12, Chapter 53, procedure 731-3. This directive references DGAC 96-246-022 for further guidance. Operators of Mystere Falcon 200 aeroplanes are obligated to comply with these requirements meticulously. The initial compliance must be achieved before 31 August 1997 or within 330 hours of time in service following 30 January 1997, whichever comes first. Subsequent inspections must be carried out at intervals not exceeding six months or 300 hours of time in service, whichever is sooner. These requirements are designed to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and to prevent any potential loss of the wing to fuselage upper fairings. Failure to adhere to the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. Non-compliance with the specified inspection and maintenance requirements could lead to safety hazards and potentially catastrophic outcomes. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument, breaches of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can generally result in civil or criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and the regulatory framework governing such infractions. It is crucial for operators to understand that the effectiveness of this Airworthiness Directive commences on 30 January 1997. This date marks the beginning of the enforcement period, and any aircraft failing to meet the outlined requirements from this date onwards could be subject to enforcement actions. The directive is rooted in the intent to enhance safety by preventing the loss of wing to fuselage upper fairings, thereby ensuring the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft.