AD/BN-2/24 Amdt 1 - Flap Attachments and Flap Operating Lever - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, were enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia and administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australian airspace. Specifically, the legislation addresses the need for rigorous and consistent standards to be applied across the aviation industry, aiming to maintain a high level of safety and operational integrity. Part 39, which includes Airworthiness Directives, was introduced to fill the gap by establishing mandatory safety standards and procedures for aircraft and their operation, including specific requirements for aircraft maintenance and modifications. This legislative instrument, AD/BN-2/24 Amendment 1, targets Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes and mandates inspections of flap attachments and flap operating levers to ensure continued airworthiness and compliance with safety standards. The directive outlines the applicability of the inspection requirement to all models except those incorporating Britten Norman Mod. NB/M/417, and it stipulates that compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following the issuance date of 30 March 1973, unless the inspection has already been completed.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B04735, specifically addresses the airworthiness directives related to the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes through Part 39 - 105. This regulation applies to all models of the BN-2 series, except those incorporating the Britten Norman Mod. NB/M/417, and mandates compliance with the directive concerning flap attachments and flap operating lever inspections as outlined in Britten Norman Service Bulletin No. BN-2/SB.36 Issue 3. The inspection must be carried out within 100 hours of time in service following 30 March 1973, unless the inspection has already been performed. The directive is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is applicable across the Commonwealth, ensuring uniformity in the maintenance and safety standards of these aircraft within Australia. The regulation does not specify exclusions or exemptions, thereby encompassing all applicable aircraft operators and entities involved in the maintenance and operation of the BN-2 series aeroplanes within the Australian jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses the mandatory inspection of flap attachments and flap operating levers for Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes (section 105.01). This directive is critical for ensuring the safe operation of these aircraft and applies to all models except those incorporating the Britten Norman Mod. NB/M/417 (section 105.02). The directive mandates that compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 30 March 1973, unless the inspection has already been completed (section 105.03). The compliance document is Britten Norman Service Bulletin No. BN-2/SB.36 Issue 3 (section 105.04). The obligations under this directive are clear: operators of the affected Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes must conduct the required inspection within the specified timeframe (section 105.03). This involves a thorough examination of the flap attachments and flap operating levers to ensure they are in safe working condition. The directive also necessitates that operators keep records of the inspection and any corrective actions taken (section 105.05). These records must be readily available for inspection by CASA or other authorised personnel (section 105.06). Failure to comply with the requirements of this airworthiness directive can lead to significant consequences. Operators found in breach of these provisions may face civil penalties, which can include substantial fines (section 105.07). Additionally, non-compliance may result in the grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections are performed and approved by CASA (section 105.08). In severe cases, CASA may pursue criminal charges against individuals or entities responsible for the non-compliance, which could lead to imprisonment (section 105.09). The maximum penalty for an individual found guilty of contravening these regulations can amount to significant fines and imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of ensuring airworthiness and safety in civil aviation (section 105.10).