AD/BN-2/52 Amdt 1 - Elevator Mass Balance Weights

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. One specific part of this extensive regulation, Part 39, focuses on the issuance of Airworthiness Directives to address various safety concerns related to aircraft operations. The problem or gap that this legislation seeks to address is the need for consistent and updated safety standards that are mandated for the operation of specific aircraft models to ensure public safety and compliance with international aviation safety protocols. This legislative instrument is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, reflecting a commitment to maintaining high safety standards in the aviation sector. The policy objective is to enhance safety by ensuring that all aircraft meet necessary regulatory requirements and standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) within the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to all aircraft operators and maintenance personnel responsible for the operation and upkeep of Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes that do not have modification NB/M/990 embodied. The ADs are applicable nationwide under the Commonwealth of Australia's jurisdiction, ensuring that safety standards are uniformly enforced across all states and territories. The directive specifically mandates that all affected aircraft must comply with the requirements set forth in Pilatus Britten-Norman Service Bulletin BN2/SB113 Issue 3 concerning elevator mass balance weights, with compliance needed before the issue of the next Maintenance Release following 18 May 1989. This regulation extends to any aircraft manufactured after the release of Service Bulletin Issue 2. The ADs are enforced through subordinate instruments, allowing for further clarification or specification of compliance measures.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR) in this context are those that pertain to the airworthiness directives, specifically AD/BN-2/52 Amendment 1, which focuses on elevator mass balance weights for the Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes. The requirement outlined in section 39-105 is that all models of the BN-2 Series aeroplanes, except those that have already incorporated modification NB/M/990, must adhere to the action specified in Pilatus Britten-Norman Service Bulletin (SB) BN2/SB113, Issue 3. Compliance with these directives must be achieved before the issuance of the next Maintenance Release following 18 May 1989. The obligations imposed on the parties governed by these regulations are primarily concerned with ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Owners, operators, and maintenance personnel must ensure that the elevator mass balance weights are correctly adjusted in accordance with the specific service bulletin mentioned. This involves following the detailed instructions and procedures provided in SB BN2/SB113, Issue 3, to prevent any safety issues related to the aircraft's performance and control characteristics. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an airworthiness directive can result in civil penalties. Specifically, section 64 of the Act states that a person who contravenes an airworthiness directive may be liable to a penalty. The maximum penalty for such a contravention can be substantial, reflecting the seriousness of compromising aircraft safety. Additionally, continued operation of an aircraft that does not comply with an applicable airworthiness directive is an offence under section 66 of the Act, which can lead to criminal charges. The penalties for such offences can include fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity and the discretion of the court.