AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Airtractor 600 Series Aeroplanes
AD/AT 600/2
Amdt 1
Aft Fuselage Structure Upper Longeron 10/2004
Applicability: Model AT-602 aircraft, serial numbers 0337 through 0664. Requirement: For Model AT-602 aircraft, serial numbers 0337 through 0661:
- Inspect the upper longeron on the left hand side of the fuselage frame, just forward of the vertical fin front spar attachment, for cracks in accordance with Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter (SL) No. 213A, dated 10 November 2003, as specified in SL No. 195, re-issued 10 November 2003.
2. For Model AT-602 aircraft, serial numbers 0662 through 0664:
Inspect the upper longeron on the left hand side of the fuselage frame, just forward of the vertical fin front spar attachment, for cracks in accordance with SL No. 213A, dated 10 November 2003, as specified in SL No. 195, re-issued 10 November 2003.
Note: FAA AD 2004-15-15 Amdt 39-13749 refers.
Compliance: 1. Initially inspect upon the accumulation of 700 total hours time in service or within the next 100 hours time in service after the last inspection required by the original issue of this Directive, whichever occurs later. Inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service, until the upper longeron is replaced and modified in accordance with SL No. 213B, revised 10 November 2003.
2. Initially inspect upon the accumulation of 1,750 total hours time in service or within the next 100 hours time in service after the last inspection required by the original issue of this Directive, whichever occurs later. Inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service, until the upper longeron is replaced and modified in accordance with SL No. 213B, revised 10 November 2003.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 September 2004.
Airtractor 600 Series Aeroplanes
AD/AT 600/2 Amdt 1 (continued)
Background: The FAA received reports of three occurrences of cracks found on the left hand upper longeron and upper diagonal support tubes where they intersect on the left side of the fuselage frame just forward of the vertical fin front spar attachment point, on Model AT-602 aircraft. The cracks were found by the pilot and/or ground crew when they noticed excessive movement of the empennage due to the loss of torsional rigidity.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a new FAA AD, which changes the compliance times, and incorporates new and revised manufacturer service information that contains a terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 20 August 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 September 2004.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is titled "Airtractor 600 Series Aeroplanes AD/AT 600/2 Amendment 1 Aft Fuselage Structure Upper Longeron 10/2004". This directive was enacted in response to reports of cracks found on the left hand upper longeron and upper diagonal support tubes of Model AT-602 aircraft, which was causing excessive movement of the empennage and loss of torsional rigidity. The AD requires inspections of the upper longeron on the left hand side of the fuselage frame for cracks in accordance with specified service letters, and mandates compliance times for these inspections based on the total hours of time in service. This directive aims to correct the unsafe condition identified in the aircraft and ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies specifically to Airtractor 600 Series Aeroplanes, namely Model AT-602 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 0337 through 0664. This legislative instrument, issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), mandates inspections and modifications to the aft fuselage structure, specifically the upper longeron on the left hand side of the fuselage frame, for the identified serial numbers. The AD requires compliance with the specified inspection intervals and procedures to address potential safety issues related to cracks in the mentioned structural components. The directive is effective within the Commonwealth of Australia, and its provisions apply to all aircraft within the specified serial number range operating in Australian airspace. The AD does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, indicating that all affected aircraft must adhere to the outlined requirements. The AD may be subject to further amendments or clarifications through subordinate instruments as necessary to ensure compliance and safety standards are maintained.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) mandates specific actions to be taken concerning Airtractor 600 Series Aeroplanes, specifically Model AT-602 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 0337 to 0664. The directive requires inspections of the upper longeron on the left-hand side of the fuselage frame, just forward of the vertical fin front spar attachment, for cracks (section 1). This inspection is to be conducted in accordance with Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter (SL) No. 213A, dated 10 November 2003, as specified in SL No. 195, re-issued on the same date. The AD outlines two different sets of compliance timelines based on the aircraft's serial number. For serial numbers 0337 through 0661, the initial inspection must occur upon the aircraft reaching 700 total hours in service or within 100 hours after the last inspection required by the original AD, whichever is later (section 1). For serial numbers 0662 through 0664, the initial inspection must occur upon reaching 1,750 total hours in service or within 100 hours after the last inspection, whichever is later (section 2). Subsequent inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours in service until the upper longeron is replaced and modified according to SL No. 213B, revised on 10 November 2003.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators and owners of the affected aircraft. Operators must ensure that the required inspections are carried out by qualified personnel in accordance with the specified procedures and timelines. This includes keeping detailed records of all inspections and any actions taken as a result of those inspections. Owners and operators must also ensure that any necessary modifications to the upper longeron are performed as per the service letters issued by Snow Engineering Co. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding and other enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
The AD does not explicitly state civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance. However, failure to comply with an AD can lead to enforcement actions by CASA, including the issuance of a Notice of Proposed Civil Penalty or Notice of Proposed Criminal Penalty. These notices can result in significant financial penalties, depending on the severity and circumstances of the non-compliance. Additionally, non-compliance can lead to operational restrictions or the grounding of the aircraft, which can have substantial financial and operational impacts on the operators and owners.