COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Beechcraft 19, 23 and 24 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 23/13 Main and Nose Landing Gear Shock Absorber 1/68
Applicability: All models in excess of 400 hours time in service.
Requirement: 1. Remove the MS9048-180 roll pin retaining the end fittings on shock absorber rods P/N 169-810000-17 and -61 and inspect for ovality of pin holes, wear and cracking of the roll pins and relative movement between the mating parts.
2. Inspect the shock absorber rods P/N 169-810000-17 and -61 for wear where the rods pass through the seating face of the landing gear housing. Any parts which have broken anodic films in this area shall be replaced with serviceable parts.
Note: Particular attention must be paid on reassembly to the 0.20 + 06 inch compression of the rubber discs required by the Beechcraft Model 23 Shop Manual.
Compliance: Within 50 hours time in service after 10 January 1968 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 500 hours time in service.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, include specific provisions for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft. The legislative instrument F2006B03731 addresses the safety concerns related to the landing gear shock absorbers of Beechcraft 19, 23, and 24 series aeroplanes. This regulation was enacted to ensure that the structural integrity and safety of these aircraft are maintained, addressing a critical gap in safety oversight. The policy objective behind this legislation is to mandate regular inspections and maintenance of critical landing gear components to prevent mechanical failure, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation. The Australian Parliament enacted these regulations to ensure compliance with international standards and to protect the safety of passengers and crew.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the Australian legislative framework, govern various aspects of aviation safety, including the issuance of airworthiness directives. Specifically, AD/BEECH 23/13 applies to Beechcraft 19, 23, and 24 Series aeroplanes with more than 400 hours of time in service. This directive mandates the inspection and, if necessary, the replacement of main and nose landing gear shock absorber components to ensure ongoing airworthiness. The requirement includes the removal and inspection of the roll pins that retain the shock absorber rods, as well as checking for wear and damage to these rods. Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 50 hours of time in service following 10 January 1968 and must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service. The regulation applies across the Commonwealth, thereby ensuring a uniform approach to aircraft safety throughout Australia. The directive does not specify exclusions or exemptions, and its application may be further defined or extended by subordinate instruments issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Regulations.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes specific requirements for the maintenance and inspection of certain aircraft models. Specifically, AD/BEECH 23/13 pertains to the main and nose landing gear shock absorbers of Beechcraft 19, 23, and 24 series aeroplanes (section 1/68). The directive applies to all models that have accumulated more than 400 hours of time in service.
The main requirement under this directive involves a detailed inspection and possible replacement of components in the landing gear shock absorber system. Operators must remove the MS9048-180 roll pin that retains the end fittings on the shock absorber rods P/N 169-810000-17 and -61, and inspect these pins for signs of ovality, wear, and cracking. Additionally, the relative movement between the mating parts must be assessed to ensure proper function. Furthermore, the shock absorber rods themselves must be inspected for wear where they pass through the seating face of the landing gear housing. If any parts show broken anodic films in this area, they must be replaced with serviceable parts. Reassembly must adhere strictly to the 0.20 ± 0.06 inch compression of the rubber discs as specified in the Beechcraft Model 23 Shop Manual.
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties governed by these regulations. Operators of the specified Beechcraft aeroplanes must ensure that the inspection and any necessary repairs or replacements are performed within 50 hours of time in service following the directive's effective date of 10 January 1968. Thereafter, these inspections and maintenance activities must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service. Compliance with these requirements is crucial to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring the safety of all persons on board.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/BEECH 23/13 can result in significant legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations provide for both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Civil penalties may include fines and other monetary sanctions, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment. The exact penalties are determined based on the severity of the breach and the specific provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Ensuring adherence to these directives is therefore not only a regulatory requirement but also a critical aspect of maintaining the safety and legality of aviation operations.