AD/BN-2/46 - Engine Control Shaft - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through the legislative instrument F2006B04757, address the specific issue of airworthiness concerning the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes. This regulation was introduced to ensure the safety and reliability of these aircraft by mandating precise inspections and maintenance of the engine control pivot shaft. The problem it seeks to resolve involves instances where the engine control pivot shaft has become partially withdrawn from the engine console due to the absence of a drilled hole and a retaining splitpin, leading to potentially hazardous situations such as the collapse of control levers and friction discs during operation. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this regulation underscores the importance of adhering to specified maintenance procedures to prevent accidents and uphold aviation safety standards. The policy objective of this regulation is to mitigate risks associated with the operation of the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes by enforcing mandatory inspections and corrective actions for the engine control pivot shaft. The regulation is designed to ensure that all models of these aircraft are inspected within a specified timeframe to prevent the occurrence of critical failures. By detailing the required inspection and maintenance procedures, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 aim to enhance the overall safety and airworthiness of the aircraft, thereby protecting both the crew and passengers from potential harm.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to all persons and entities involved in the operation of Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series aeroplanes within the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations mandate specific maintenance and inspection procedures to ensure the airworthiness of the aircraft, particularly focusing on the engine control shaft. The requirement outlined in the legislation mandates that the right-hand end of the engine control pivot shaft be inspected for the presence of a drilled hole, plain washers, and a retaining splitpin, as per detailed in the Britten Norman Parts Catalogue. Failure to comply with these inspection and, if necessary, corrective actions could result in serious safety issues, as evidenced by the incident where the absence of these components led to the shaft becoming partially withdrawn from the engine console during taxi, causing a collapse of control levers and friction discs. The regulations require compliance within 50 hours of time in service after 4 June 1980. The scope of this directive is national, applying across all states and territories within Australia. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions to this directive, and it extends its application through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which is responsible for enforcing and overseeing compliance. Any additional specifics or variations to the application of this directive would be detailed in subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses a schedule of airworthiness directives that are crucial for maintaining the safety and operational integrity of aircraft within Australia. The regulation under focus pertains to the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes and mandates a particular inspection directive, identified as AD/BN-2/46, which addresses the engine control shaft. The directive requires operators to inspect the right-hand end of the engine control pivot shaft (section 1). If a drilled hole, plain washers, and a retaining split pin are not present, the directive instructs that these components should be added as per specified figures and sections in the Britten Norman Parts Catalogue (section 2). Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 50 hours of the aircraft being in service after 4 June 1980. Operators and owners of the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes are obligated to adhere to the requirements set out in AD/BN-2/46. This involves conducting a meticulous inspection of the specified engine control shaft to ensure it conforms to the prescribed standards. If the inspection reveals that the shaft lacks the necessary drilled hole, plain washers, and retaining split pin, the operator must rectify this by drilling the shaft and fitting the washers and split pin as per the Britten Norman Parts Catalogue. These actions must be completed within the stipulated timeframe, which is within 50 hours of the aircraft being in service post 4 June 1980. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/BN-2/46 could have significant repercussions. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance within this directive, general aviation safety regulations often carry substantial penalties for violations. These can include financial penalties, suspension or revocation of the aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness, and potential criminal charges for those responsible. The severity of the penalties reflects the importance of adhering to airworthiness directives to prevent safety incidents, as highlighted by the background information provided, which notes an incident where the absence of the drilled hole and retaining split pin led to the engine control pivot shaft being partially withdrawn during taxi, resulting in the collapse of control levers and friction discs.