COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Auster/Beagle A.61 Series Aeroplanes
AD/AUS/8 Lift Strut 10/50
Applicability: All models.
Requirement: Inspect all lift struts not sealed at manufacture for signs of internal corrosion and treat corroded struts as follows:
- Rear Lift Struts:
(a) Remove the screwed adjustment plug from the upper end of the lift strut and pour in a reasonable quantity of dry, sharp sand.
(b) Shake the strut to cause the sand to remove any loose particles of rust by abrasion. Do this carefully to ensure that all parts of the strut are clean.
(c) Drain out the sand and rust and, if possible, drive out all the loose matter by means of an air blast.
Note: The sand should not be used more than once.
(d) Pour in an adequate quantity of linseed oil or an approved rust preventive, e.g. DTD279, and rotate the strut to ensure that the whole of the inside surface is fully covered. Drain and seal the bottom end of the screwed plug sleeve with a fibre hardwood plug, followed by a coat of varnish.
2. Front Lift Struts:
(a) Drill out the hole for the top attachment bolt 1/16 inch oversize.
(b) Pour in dry, sharp sand and carry out the cleaning and treating processes as described in paragraphs 1(b) to 1(d) of this Directive.
(c) To seal the strut insert a piece of tube (equivalent to B.S. Spec. T45) of such a diameter as to fill the 1/16 inch diameter oversize hole and silver solder in position. The tube wall thickness should be sufficient to ensure that the bush can be drilled and reamed to the diameter 5/16 inch +.002 -.000 after soldering is completed.
3. If struts appear to be in an advanced state of corrosion replace immediately or refer to the Department before further use.
Compliance: Forthwith.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, include Part 39 - 105 which details the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives. One such directive is AD/AUS/8, applicable to Auster/Beagle A.61 Series Aeroplanes, specifically addressing the issue of lift strut integrity. This directive was introduced to address the problem of internal corrosion in lift struts which, if left unchecked, could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft and subsequently endanger flight safety. The objective is to ensure that all lift struts are inspected for signs of internal corrosion and appropriately treated to prevent further deterioration. The directive is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia, aiming to maintain high safety standards in civil aviation.
The directive mandates immediate compliance for the inspection and treatment of lift struts, which includes detailed procedures for cleaning and applying protective treatments to prevent corrosion. Rear lift struts must be carefully cleaned with dry, sharp sand and then coated with linseed oil or an approved rust preventive, while front lift struts require additional steps such as enlarging the attachment bolt hole and inserting a sealing tube. In cases of severe corrosion, struts must be replaced or further action taken in consultation with the Department. This directive is integral to the ongoing maintenance and safety protocols for the specified aircraft models, ensuring they remain airworthy.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the airworthiness directives pertaining to civil aviation in Australia, with this particular regulation applying to Auster/Beagle A.61 Series aeroplanes. This regulation mandates that all lift struts not sealed at manufacture be inspected for signs of internal corrosion and treated accordingly. The requirement extends to both rear and front lift struts, detailing specific processes for cleaning and treating corroded struts to ensure they meet safety standards. The regulation applies to all models of the Auster/Beagle A.61 Series aeroplanes, ensuring consistent safety standards across the fleet. The regulation is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and must be adhered to forthwith, with immediate replacement of struts in an advanced state of corrosion or consultation with the Department before further use. The geographic reach of this regulation is nationwide, applying uniformly across all states and territories within Australia. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this directive, and it does not extend or restrict application through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Part 39 - 105) include a specific Airworthiness Directive (AD/AUS/8) that applies to all models of Auster/Beagle A.61 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the inspection and maintenance of lift struts. Section 10/50 of this directive mandates that all lift struts not sealed at manufacture must be inspected for signs of internal corrosion. If corrosion is detected, the struts must be treated according to the specified procedures. For rear lift struts, this involves removing the adjustment plug, introducing dry sand to abrade loose rust, draining the sand and rust, applying linseed oil or an approved rust preventive, and sealing the strut with a hardwood plug and varnish. For front lift struts, the process requires drilling the attachment bolt hole slightly larger, introducing sand for cleaning, applying rust preventive measures, and sealing the hole with a silver-soldered tube. In cases where struts are found to be severely corroded, they must either be replaced immediately or referred to the Department before further use.
Entities governed by this directive are required to comply with the stipulated inspection and treatment procedures for the lift struts of Auster/Beagle A.61 Series Aeroplanes. This involves a thorough examination of the struts to identify any signs of corrosion and executing the specified cleaning and treatment steps meticulously. Operators must ensure that the appropriate materials and techniques are used to prevent further corrosion and maintain the integrity of the lift struts. Additionally, operators must adhere to the directive's timeliness requirement, ensuring that any necessary inspections and treatments are conducted forthwith.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can lead to significant consequences. Non-compliance may result in the aeroplane being deemed airworthy, posing a risk to flight safety. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to civil or criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, with the maximum penalty varying depending on the severity of the breach. Criminal penalties can also be imposed, with maximum penalties potentially including imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of neglecting safety requirements in aviation. Operators must therefore ensure strict adherence to the directive to avoid these potential repercussions.