AD/BN-2/41 Amdt 1 - Elevator and Flap Control Rods - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. One specific legislative instrument under this act is F2006B04752, which pertains to Airworthiness Directives for the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes. This legislative instrument, introduced to address specific safety concerns associated with the elevator and flap control rods of the BN-2 aircraft models, aims to maintain the integrity and operational safety of these aircraft through mandated inspections and repairs. The policy objective is to ensure that any corrosion or wear on the control rods is identified and rectified promptly, thereby preventing potential in-flight failures that could compromise safety. This legislative measure was designed to fill a critical gap in the maintenance and inspection protocols for the BN-2 series, ensuring that all models adhere to stringent safety standards. The directive mandates that inspections be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 31 October 1977, with specific attention to the bonding clips and leads, which may be removed only under certain conditions, such as when the radio system remains satisfactory and the control rod fork end bearings are of all-metal construction.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates adherence to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s schedule of airworthiness directives, which includes detailed directives for aircraft types such as the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes. This legislative instrument applies to all models of the specified aircraft series, requiring inspections of elevator and flap control rods for corrosion, as well as compliance with the manufacturer's service bulletin SB No. BN-2/SB.101. The directive further specifies that bonding clips and leads may be removed under certain conditions, such as the satisfactory performance of the radio system and the use of all-metal construction for control rod fork end bearings. Any aircraft failing to meet these criteria must ensure that bonding clips and leads are replaced. The requirement is to comply with these inspection and rectification measures within 100 hours of time in service after 31 October 1977. This regulation ensures the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, extending its jurisdictional reach to all operators and maintainers of the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes in the country.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandates the adherence to airworthiness directives, including AD/BN-2/41 Amendment 1, which pertains to the inspection of elevator and flap control rods for Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes. According to section (1), all models of these aeroplanes must undergo an inspection to check for any signs of corrosion in the elevator and flap control rods. The requirement (2) allows for the complete removal of bonding clips and leads, provided that the radio system continues to perform satisfactorily and the control rod fork end bearings are made entirely of metal. If the bearings have "plastic" inserts, the bonding clips and leads must be replaced. Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 100 hours of time in service after 31 October 1977. The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties involved, primarily the aircraft owners or operators, to ensure that the inspection and necessary repairs or replacements of the elevator and flap control rods are carried out as stipulated. The owners or operators must verify that the radio system is functioning correctly and that the control rod fork end bearings meet the specified construction requirements. These obligations are designed to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft in accordance with the standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/BN-2/41 Amendment 1 can result in significant legal consequences. The Act does not explicitly state the specific offences or penalties for non-compliance with this directive. However, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which may include fines, grounding of the aircraft, or other administrative penalties. Such actions are intended to ensure that all aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to protect passengers and crew.