COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Airtractor AT-300, 400 and 500 Series Aeroplanes
AD/AT/5 Engine Mount Ring on Vibro-Damp Mount Assembly - Inspection
Applicability: All models AT-300 and AT-301.
Document: Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter No. 50.
Compliance: 1. Within 100 hours time in service after 31st July 1983 and thereafter as per requirement document.
2. Repeat bolt removal at each 1000 hours time in service.
Background: The manufacturer reports cracking of attach brackets and excessive wear of attachment bolts.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted by the Parliament of Australia and are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), play a crucial role in maintaining safety standards in the aviation industry. Part 39 of these Regulations, specifically Airworthiness Directives, includes provisions that ensure the safety and airworthiness of various aircraft models. One such directive, AD/AT/5, addresses the inspection of the engine mount ring on the vibro-damp mount assembly for Airtractor AT-300, 400, and 500 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address a safety concern identified by the manufacturer regarding cracking of attach brackets and excessive wear of attachment bolts, as reported in Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter No. 50 dated July 1983. The policy objective of this directive is to mitigate potential risks associated with these issues through regular inspections, thereby enhancing the overall safety of these aircraft models.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations, specifically Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, govern the airworthiness directives for certain aircraft, including the Airtractor AT-300, AT-301, AT-400, and AT-500 Series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all operators of these aircraft models within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that they comply with the specified safety standards. The primary objective of this directive is to address issues identified with the engine mount ring on the vibro-damp mount assembly by mandating inspections and maintenance procedures as outlined in the Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter No. 50. The requirement necessitates inspections within 100 hours of time in service following 31st July 1983, and subsequently as per the detailed instructions in the specified document. Furthermore, the bolts must be removed and re-inspected at every 1000 hours of time in service to prevent cracking of the attach brackets and excessive wear of the attachment bolts. This regulation does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, thereby applying uniformly to all relevant aircraft operators within the jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Part 39 - 105) under the Airworthiness Directives section specifically address the maintenance and inspection requirements for the Airtractor AT-300, AT-301, AT-400, and AT-500 series aeroplanes. The directive AD/AT/5 focuses on the engine mount ring on the vibro-damp mount assembly. According to section 1 of AD/AT/5, an inspection must be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 31st July 1983 and subsequently as per the requirements outlined in the Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter No. 50. Additionally, section 2 mandates that the bolt removal and inspection process should be repeated every 1000 hours of time in service.
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved. Firstly, operators of Airtractor AT-300 and AT-301 series aeroplanes must ensure that the inspection and bolt removal process is carried out within the specified timeframes. This includes adhering to the detailed procedures outlined in the Snow Engineering Service Letter No. 50. The responsibility falls on the operators to maintain records of all inspections and maintenance activities to demonstrate compliance with the regulations. Furthermore, the directive mandates that all inspections and repairs must be conducted by qualified personnel who are familiar with the specific requirements of these aircraft models.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/AT/5 can result in significant legal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). CASA has the authority to issue penalties, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft if the directive is not adhered to. The severity of the penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance. In cases of repeated or severe breaches, CASA may also pursue legal action against the operator, which could result in substantial financial penalties and reputational damage. The specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the directive but are governed by broader civil aviation legislation which can include fines up to several thousand dollars and potential criminal charges for gross negligence.