COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BN-2/82 Elevator Final Drive Rod 7/2004 DM
Applicability: All Model BN2, BN2A, BN2B, BN2T, BN2T-4R, and BN2T-4S series Islander aircraft.
Requirement: Inspect the internal surface of the elevator system final drive control rod in accordance with B-N Group Service Bulletin SB 303 Issue 1.
Note: UK CAA Emergency AD G-2004-0011 refers.
Compliance: Within 50 hours time in service or one month after 2 June 2004, whichever occurs first.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 2 June 2004.
Background: The manufacturer has identified several cases of corroded elevator final drive control rods. If not corrected, corrosion of the internal surface could result in failure or collapse of the rod, resulting in loss of control or jamming of the elevator system.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 26 May 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 2 June 2004.
Page 1 of 1
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) were enacted to ensure that civil aviation operations in Australia are conducted safely and efficiently, addressing a need for standardised aviation safety regulations across the country. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) was established under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 to enforce these regulations and issue directives to ensure compliance with safety standards. One such directive, Airworthiness Directive AD/BN-2/82, was issued on 2 June 2004, targeting corrosion issues in the elevator final drive control rods of Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Islander aircraft. The directive mandates inspections of the internal surfaces of these control rods to prevent potential failures that could lead to loss of control or jamming of the elevator system, thereby enhancing flight safety. This directive was issued under the authority of the CASA delegate and aligns with the overarching policy objective of maintaining and improving aviation safety in Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, govern the safety and airworthiness of aircraft within Australia, and the Airworthiness Directive issued under this legislation applies to all Model BN2, BN2A, BN2B, BN2T, BN2T-4R, and BN2T-4S series Islander aircraft. This AD was issued to address a specific safety concern identified by the manufacturer regarding corrosion of the elevator final drive control rod, which could lead to a loss of control or jamming of the elevator system if left uncorrected. The AD mandates an inspection of the internal surface of the elevator system final drive control rod in accordance with B-N Group Service Bulletin SB 303 Issue 1, with a compliance requirement to be met within 50 hours of time in service or one month after 2 June 2004, whichever occurs first. This directive is effective from 2 June 2004 and is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all relevant aircraft are subject to the safety measures outlined in this directive.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) mandates that all operators of Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2 Series Islander aircraft (sections BN2, BN2A, BN2B, BN2T, BN2T-4R, and BN2T-4S) must inspect the internal surface of the elevator system final drive control rod in accordance with B-N Group Service Bulletin SB 303 Issue 1. This inspection is critical as the manufacturer has identified cases of corroded rods, which if left unaddressed, could lead to catastrophic failure or jamming of the elevator system, posing severe risks to flight safety.
The AD specifies that the inspection must be completed within 50 hours of the aircraft being in service or within one month from 2 June 2004, whichever occurs first. This directive underscores the urgency and importance of addressing the identified safety issue promptly. Operators must ensure that the inspections are conducted by qualified personnel and that any identified issues are rectified according to the instructions provided in the referenced service bulletin.
The obligations imposed on the parties governed by this AD include meticulous record-keeping of all inspections and any subsequent maintenance actions taken. Operators are also required to ensure that the aircraft remain airworthy and compliant with all regulatory standards throughout the inspection and repair process. Failure to comply with the AD may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential grounding and legal repercussions.
Failure to adhere to the requirements of this AD may result in civil or criminal penalties. The severity of these penalties can vary, but they may include fines, imprisonment, or both. The maximum penalties for non-compliance with ADs under CASR are significant, reflecting the critical nature of air safety regulations. Operators found in breach of the AD may face financial penalties of up to $500,000 for corporations and $100,000 for individuals, along with potential imprisonment for up to five years. These stringent measures are designed to ensure that all parties involved prioritise safety and compliance.