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-2/49 Pilots Seat Backs - Inspection and Modification 7/84
Applicability: All models with individual pilots sliding seat units - P/N NBC-010-H-001 (LH) and P/N NBC-010-H-002 (RH) or NBC-012-H-001, not embodying mod. NB/M/1217.
Document: Britten Norman SB No. BN2/SB163.
Compliance: INSPECT: Prior to the issue of the next maintenance release after 31 July 1984 and
thereafter at each issue of a new maintenance release.
MODIFY: Before 30 November 1984.
Background: Some individual seat units, installed in the flight compartment, have been affected by distortion and fracture at the attachment of the folding back to the seat frame.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, addresses the critical safety issue of aircraft seat integrity, as outlined in Airworthiness Directive AD/BN-2/49. This legislation was enacted to tackle the specific problem of distortion and fracture in the pilots' seat backs of the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes, particularly those with individual sliding seat units identified by particular part numbers. The Australian Government, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, issued this directive to ensure the safety of aircrews by mandating inspections and modifications to affected seats before certain deadlines. The policy objective is to mitigate the risk of in-flight incidents due to seat failure, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
The directive applies to all models of the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes equipped with the specified seat units, demanding that inspections be carried out prior to the issuance of each new maintenance release after 31 July 1984 and that any necessary modifications be completed by 30 November 1984. This proactive measure underscores the commitment to maintaining high safety standards within the aviation industry, ensuring that aircraft remain airworthy and that flight operations are conducted without undue risk.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 series aeroplanes equipped with individual pilots' sliding seat units, specifically those with part numbers NBC-010-H-001 (left-hand) and NBC-010-H-002 (right-hand) or NBC-012-H-001, excluding those that incorporate modification NB/M/1217. This regulation is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations and has a national reach, applying across all states and territories of Australia. The directive mandates an inspection of the pilots' seat backs prior to the release of the next maintenance update following 31 July 1984 and at each subsequent maintenance release thereafter. Additionally, any necessary modifications must be completed by 30 November 1984. This directive addresses specific issues with the attachment of the folding back to the seat frame, which have exhibited distortion and fracture, as detailed in Britten Norman Service Bulletin No. BN2/SB163. The regulation does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, and its application may be further detailed or extended through subordinate instruments as necessary.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, section 105, contain Airworthiness Directives (AD) that govern the maintenance and safety requirements for specific aircraft models. For instance, AD/BN-2/49 pertains to the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes and specifically addresses the inspection and modification of pilots' seat backs (section 7/84). This directive applies to all models with individual pilots' sliding seat units, specifically those with part numbers NBC-010-H-001 (left-hand) and NBC-010-H-002 (right-hand), or NBC-012-H-001, excluding those that incorporate modification NB/M/1217. This requirement is documented in Britten Norman Service Bulletin No. BN2/SB163. Compliance with this directive involves two main actions: inspection and modification. The inspection must be carried out before the issue of the next maintenance release after 31 July 1984, and thereafter, it must be performed at each issue of a new maintenance release. The modification must be completed before 30 November 1984.
The obligations imposed by AD/BN-2/49 are clear and time-bound. Aircraft operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the inspection of the pilots' seat backs is conducted meticulously, identifying any signs of distortion or fracture at the attachment of the folding back to the seat frame. If any issues are found during inspection, the seat backs must be modified as per the specified service bulletin to prevent potential safety hazards. This directive underscores the importance of regular and thorough maintenance checks to uphold the safety standards of aircraft operations.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/BN-2/49 may result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement actions against non-compliance. Such actions can include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory measures. Additionally, operators found to be in breach of these safety directives could face legal repercussions, potentially impacting their ability to operate aircraft safely and legally. The seriousness of these potential outcomes highlights the critical nature of adhering to the stipulated inspection and modification timelines.