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-2/34 Rudder Bar Lower Mounting - Inspection NK
and Modification
Applicability: All model BN-2A which have exceeded 1000 hours total time in service, except those which have incorporated Mod. No. NB/M/463 Part A.
Document: Britten Norman SB No. BN-2/SB.74, Issue 2.
Compliance: Within 25 hours time in service after 24 May 1976 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 200 hours time in service until modified. Modify not later than 31 August 1976.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, form a significant part of Australia's aviation regulatory framework and were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. Among these regulations is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically addressing the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes. This legislative instrument, known as AD/BN-2/34, was introduced to address specific safety concerns related to the rudder bar lower mounting on the BN-2A model aeroplanes that have exceeded 1000 hours of total time in service. The objective of this directive, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, is to mandate inspections and modifications to enhance the airworthiness and safety of these aircraft, ensuring compliance with aviation safety standards.
The AD/BN-2/34 directive requires that inspections be conducted within 25 hours of time in service after the directive was issued on 24 May 1976, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service until modifications are made. The directive also mandates that any necessary modifications be completed no later than 31 August 1976. This legislative instrument was developed in response to identified safety issues and aims to mitigate risks associated with the rudder bar lower mounting on the BN-2A model, thereby contributing to the overall safety and reliability of civil aviation operations within Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes, detailing the airworthiness directives for these aircraft. This regulation mandates that all model BN-2A aeroplanes that have exceeded 1000 hours of total time in service must undergo inspection and, if necessary, modification of the rudder bar lower mounting, unless they have already incorporated modification number NB/M/463 Part A. The requirement necessitates compliance with the directives set forth in Britten Norman Service Bulletin No. BN-2/SB.74, Issue 2. The inspection must occur within 25 hours of time in service after 24 May 1976, and subsequent inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service until the modification is implemented. The modification itself must be completed no later than 31 August 1976. This regulation governs the maintenance and safety standards of the specified aircraft within the Australian jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, mandates specific safety directives for the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series aeroplanes, especially concerning the rudder bar lower mounting. Section (AD/BN-2/34) specifies that all BN-2A models that have surpassed 1000 hours of total time in service are subject to these directives, with an exception for those already modified under Mod. No. NB/M/463 Part A. The directive is referenced in Britten Norman Service Bulletin No. BN-2/SB.74, Issue 2. The regulation requires that the rudder bar lower mounting must be inspected within 25 hours of time in service after 24 May 1976 and then at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service until the modification is implemented. The modification itself must be completed no later than 31 August 1976.
Operators and owners of BN-2A aircraft must ensure compliance with these directives. This involves scheduling inspections and subsequent modifications as per the timeline specified in the regulations. Failure to comply with the inspection and modification requirements may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to grounding and other regulatory actions. The obligations under the Act are clear: operators must keep detailed records of all inspections and modifications, and they must maintain the aircraft in accordance with the specified schedule to ensure ongoing airworthiness.
Non-compliance with the requirements outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to significant consequences. Section 39 of the Act imposes both civil and criminal penalties for breaches. Civil penalties can include fines and enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). For instance, failure to inspect or modify the rudder bar lower mounting within the stipulated timeframe could result in penalties under Section 97 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which can include fines up to $162,000 for corporations and $32,400 for individuals. Additionally, criminal charges can be pursued under Section 91 of the same Act, which can lead to imprisonment for up to two years for individuals and higher fines for corporations. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the regulatory requirements to maintain safety standards in aviation.