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/7 Horizontal Stabiliser Eyebolts 7/86 TX
Applicability: All models S/Nos 0001 to 0634.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Snow Engineering Co. SL No. 62. Compliance: Within 20 hours time in service after 28 May 1986.
Background: There have been several reports of failure of the strut attach eyebolt.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address the safety concerns surrounding the Airtractor AT-300, 400, and 500 series aeroplanes through the issue of Airworthiness Directives. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this legislation aims to ensure the safety of aircraft operations by mandating compliance with specific maintenance and inspection requirements. AD/AT/7 focuses on the horizontal stabiliser eyebolts of Airtractor AT-300, 400, and 500 series aeroplanes, applicable to all models with serial numbers ranging from 0001 to 0634. The directive was introduced in response to multiple reports of failures in the strut attach eyebolt, necessitating prompt action to prevent potential safety hazards. Compliance with Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter No. 62 is required, with the specified action to be completed within 20 hours of the aeroplanes' time in service after 28 May 1986. This measure underscores the policy objective of maintaining high safety standards within the civil aviation sector.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, applies to all Airtractor AT-300, 400 and 500 Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 0001 to 0634. This legislation mandates compliance with Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring that these aircraft meet safety standards. The directive AD/AT/7, concerning horizontal stabiliser eyebolts, requires that all affected aircraft must adhere to the specifications outlined in Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter No. 62 within 20 hours of time in service after the directive's issue date of 28 May 1986. This regulation is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, and while the primary focus is on ensuring the safety and airworthiness of these specific aircraft models, the scope does not extend to any other aircraft or aeronautical products unless explicitly stated in other directives. Subordinate instruments may provide further detail or clarification on compliance and enforcement mechanisms, but the core requirement remains consistent with the stipulations of AD/AT/7.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39, Section 105, establishes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. Specifically, AD/AT/7 pertains to the Airtractor AT-300, 400, and 500 Series aeroplanes, addressing the issue of horizontal stabiliser eyebolts. This directive applies to all Airtractor models with serial numbers ranging from 0001 to 0634 (AD/AT/7). The requirement outlined in this directive mandates compliance with Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter No. 62, which provides the necessary corrective actions. The directive demands that these actions be implemented within 20 hours of time in service following 28 May 1986 (AD/AT/7).
The AD imposes several obligations on the operators and owners of the specified Airtractor models. Primarily, they must ensure that the horizontal stabiliser eyebolts are inspected and maintained or replaced as per the instructions detailed in Snow Engineering Co. Service Letter No. 62. Operators and owners must also ensure that these actions are carried out within the stipulated timeframe of 20 hours of time in service after the directive's effective date of 28 May 1986. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to serious safety risks, as evidenced by the several reported failures of the strut attach eyebolts (AD/AT/7).
Non-compliance with AD/AT/7 can result in severe consequences. The AD is designed to prevent potential accidents or incidents that could arise from the failure of the horizontal stabiliser eyebolts. While the specific penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives are not detailed in the text, it is known that such breaches can lead to enforcement actions by CASA. These actions may include fines, penalties, and potentially grounding the aircraft until the required actions are taken. Additionally, continued operation of a non-compliant aircraft can lead to criminal charges if it results in an accident or endangers public safety (AD/AT/7).
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly the AD/AT/7 directive, establish clear requirements for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of Airtractor AT-300, 400, and 500 Series aeroplanes. Operators and owners must adhere to the specified actions within the mandated timeframe to avoid serious safety risks. Non-compliance with these directives can result in significant civil and criminal penalties, highlighting the importance of timely and accurate adherence to CASA regulations. Ensuring compliance not only safeguards the aircraft but also protects the well-being of passengers, crew, and the general public.