COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Beechcraft 77 (Skipper) Series Aeroplanes
AD/BEECH 77/4 Elevator Control Arm Bushings 7/80
Applicability: All model 77 with S/Nos. WA-1 to WA-59. Requirement: Action in accordance with Beechcraft SI No. 1135. Compliance: Within 100 hours’ time in service after 31 July 1980.
Background: There is a possibility of freeplay developing in the elevator control arm during service.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), specifically in Part 39, outlines various airworthiness directives aimed at ensuring the safety of aviation operations in Australia. Among these directives, AD/BEECH 77/4 targets the Beechcraft 77 (Skipper) Series Aeroplanes, addressing a particular concern regarding elevator control arm bushings. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of freeplay developing in the elevator control arm bushings of the specified aircraft models, ensuring continued airworthiness and safety. The policy objective is to mandate compliance within 100 hours' time in service following 31 July 1980, as per the requirements set forth by Beechcraft SI No. 1135, thereby preventing potential safety hazards associated with this issue.
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority of the Australian Parliament, aim to provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for aviation safety. This particular directive, AD/BEECH 77/4, was issued to address the identified problem of potential freeplay in the elevator control arm bushings of certain Beechcraft 77 (Skipper) Series Aeroplanes. The directive ensures that all affected aircraft, with serial numbers WA-1 to WA-59, comply with the specified action to maintain operational safety and reliability. This regulatory measure underscores the commitment to stringent safety standards and proactive risk management within the Australian aviation sector.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australia. These regulations apply to all aircraft registered in Australia, including those of the Beechcraft 77 (Skipper) Series. The AD/BEECH 77/4 pertaining to Elevator Control Arm Bushings is directed at aircraft with serial numbers WA-1 to WA-59. The directive requires compliance with the specified action, as outlined in Beechcraft Service Information No. 1135, within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1980, to address the potential issue of freeplay in the elevator control arm. The geographic scope of these regulations is national, ensuring that all aircraft operating within Australia adhere to the stipulated safety measures. The regulations do not specify exclusions or exemptions for this particular directive, thus it applies uniformly to the designated aircraft fleet.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/BEECH 77/4, focus on the elevator control arm bushings of the Beechcraft 77 (Skipper) Series Aeroplanes. According to section 39.105, the regulation mandates that action must be taken in accordance with Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 1135 to address the potential development of freeplay in the elevator control arm bushings. This requirement applies to all model 77 aeroplanes with serial numbers WA-1 to WA-59. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1980. The regulation is based on the identified risk of freeplay occurring in the elevator control arm during service, which could compromise the aircraft's safety and operational effectiveness.
The obligations imposed by this regulation on the parties governed, primarily the aircraft operators and maintenance personnel, are clear and specific. They are required to implement the actions outlined in Beechcraft Service Instruction No. 1135 to rectify the potential for freeplay in the elevator control arm bushings. This involves inspecting the elevator control arm bushings and taking corrective actions as necessary to ensure that there is no freeplay. The directive must be complied with within the stipulated timeframe of 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1980. Failure to adhere to this requirement could lead to non-compliance with civil aviation safety standards, potentially resulting in the aircraft being grounded until the issue is resolved.
Breaching the provisions of AD/BEECH 77/4 can lead to various civil and criminal consequences. From a civil standpoint, non-compliance with the airworthiness directive may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could prevent the operator from legally operating the aircraft until the issue is rectified. In terms of criminal consequences, the regulation is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), and CASA has the authority to take legal action against operators who fail to comply with airworthiness directives. The potential penalties for non-compliance can include fines and other legal repercussions. While the exact penalties are not specified in the text, they can be significant and are intended to ensure adherence to the highest safety standards in civil aviation.