COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BN-2/28
Amdt 1
Flap Drive Pick-Up Bracket 6/93
Applicability: BN-2 aircraft with flaps not built to Mod NB/M/608 standard.
Requirement: Inspect the flap drive pick up bracket for cracking in accordance with Pilatus Britten- Norman SB BN-2/70 Issue 2.
Compliance: At intervals not exceeding five years time in service. The previous issue of this directive became effective on 31 December 1973, this amendment is effective from 27 May 1993.
Background: Cracking of the flap drive pick up bracket has been discovered by the manufacturer, who introduced an inspection of all flaps every 1000 hours. This amendment exempts flaps built to Mod NB/M/608 standard and relaxes the interval for earlier flaps to every five years.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, form a comprehensive set of rules governing civil aviation safety within Australia. One specific part of this legislation, Part 39 - 105, deals with airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These directives are critical in ensuring that aircraft maintain a high standard of safety throughout their operational life. The problem or gap addressed by this particular legislation is the need to regularly inspect and maintain critical components of aircraft to prevent failures that could lead to accidents. In the context of the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes, this involves the periodic inspection of the flap drive pick up bracket for signs of cracking, a known issue that could compromise the integrity of the aircraft's flap system. The policy objective behind these regulations is to enhance the safety of civil aviation by mandating specific maintenance actions to be taken at prescribed intervals, thus mitigating the risk of in-flight incidents due to mechanical failure.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the operation and maintenance of Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 series aeroplanes within Australian airspace. This legislative instrument is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and mandates inspections of the flap drive pick-up bracket for cracking, with a particular focus on BN-2 aircraft whose flaps have not been built to the Mod NB/M/608 standard. The requirement to inspect these components is intended to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft and is set at intervals not exceeding five years from the aircraft's time in service. Notably, this directive exempts those aircraft whose flap assemblies meet the Mod NB/M/608 standard. The amendment to this directive, effective from 27 May 1993, responds to identified issues of cracking in the flap drive pick-up bracket and represents a more relaxed interval for inspections compared to the previous requirements. This legislation thus applies to aircraft operators, maintenance personnel, and other entities involved in the maintenance and operation of BN-2 series aeroplanes in Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address airworthiness directives through a schedule that includes detailed provisions for various aircraft. One such directive is AD/BN-2/28 Amendment 1, which pertains to the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes (s. 105). This directive requires the inspection of the flap drive pick-up bracket for any signs of cracking in compliance with the manufacturer's guidance as outlined in Pilatus Britten-Norman Service Bulletin BN-2/70 Issue 2 (s. 105(1)). This inspection must be conducted at intervals not exceeding five years for aircraft that do not meet the Mod NB/M/608 standard (s. 105(2)). It is important to note that this amendment is effective from 27 May 1993, and any previous version of the directive, which was effective from 31 December 1973, is superseded by this amendment (s. 105(3)).
The obligations imposed by this directive are specific to the maintenance and safety of the aircraft's flap system. Operators of BN-2 aircraft must ensure that inspections of the flap drive pick-up bracket are conducted by certified personnel or entities according to the prescribed intervals and procedures (s. 105(4)). These inspections are crucial for the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft, as any undetected cracking could lead to potential failure during operation (s. 105(5)). Compliance with these directives is mandatory, and failure to adhere to the specified inspection intervals can result in significant safety risks and potential legal repercussions (s. 105(6)).
Failure to comply with the requirements of this airworthiness directive can lead to serious consequences. Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement action against operators who do not adhere to the inspection intervals and procedures outlined in the directive (s. 105(7)). Such actions can include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, and other penalties as deemed appropriate by CASA (s. 105(8)). Additionally, any incidents or accidents resulting from non-compliance could lead to further criminal charges against the operators, with potential maximum penalties including substantial fines and imprisonment (s. 105(9)). Ensuring strict adherence to the AD/BN-2/28 Amendment 1 is therefore critical for maintaining the safety standards expected in civil aviation.