AD/AUS/19 - Elevator Trim Tab Wires - Life Limitation

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, provide the framework for maintaining and ensuring the safety of civil aviation within Australia. This legislative instrument, specifically Part 39 - 105, focuses on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives. One such directive, AD/AUS/19, pertains to Auster/Beagle A.61 Series aeroplanes and mandates the replacement of elevator trim tab control wires with a life limitation. This directive applies universally to all models within the specified series, aiming to ensure that the aircraft remain airworthy by adhering to prescribed safety standards. The objective of this directive is to mitigate potential risks associated with the degradation of elevator trim tab control wires, thus safeguarding the safety of all operations involving these aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, applies to all Auster/Beagle A.61 Series Aeroplanes registered in Australia, encompassing both private and commercial aviation entities operating such aircraft. This regulation is designed to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these aeroplanes by mandating the replacement of the elevator trim tab control wires within 1000 hours of time in service post-installation, thereby maintaining the structural integrity and operational safety of the aircraft. The applicability of this regulation extends across all states and territories of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), ensuring a uniform safety standard is upheld nationwide. There are no exclusions or exemptions specified within this directive, and compliance is mandatory for all aircraft operators within the stipulated timeframe. The regulation's scope may be further defined or extended through subordinate instruments issued by CASA, which could include additional technical specifications or operational guidelines.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include provisions that govern the airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models. One such directive, AD/AUS/19, pertains to the elevator trim tab wires of Auster/Beagle A.61 series aeroplanes. This directive, which applies to all models of the series, requires the replacement of the elevator trim tab control wires (section 5/68). The requirement to replace these wires is contingent upon the aircraft reaching 1000 hours of time in service post-installation, thereby ensuring that the aircraft maintains its airworthiness. Under this legislation, the primary obligation falls upon the operators and owners of Auster/Beagle A.61 series aeroplanes. They are required to ensure that the elevator trim tab control wires are replaced as mandated by the directive. This involves adhering to the specified timeframe and conducting the necessary maintenance to replace the wires, which is a critical safety measure to prevent potential failures that could compromise the aircraft’s control and stability. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive AD/AUS/19 can lead to serious consequences. The legislation does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance; however, general provisions within the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 imply that non-compliance can result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Such actions may include fines or other regulatory penalties, as well as potential criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to safety breaches or accidents. The exact penalties may vary, but they can be significant, reflecting the importance of adhering to airworthiness directives in maintaining safe aviation practices.