COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Skyfox Aviation (Calair/Hedaro) CA21 and CA22A Series Aeroplanes
AD/CA21/8 Throttle Control Grub Screw 12/98
Applicability: All Skyfox CA22A aircraft
Requirement: | 1. | Inspect throttle control locking grub screw for security in accordance with Part A of Skyfox SB No.12 dated 18 March 1996. |
| 2. | Modify the throttle control in accordance with Part B of Skyfox SB No.12 dated 18 March 1996. |
Compliance: | 1. | Before next flight and thereafter every 25 flight hours until Requirement 2 is accomplished. |
2.a. Before next flight if inspection at Requirement 1 reveals a loose throttle control grub screw.
2.b. Within 100 flight hours of the effective date of this directive. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 5 November 1998.
Note: Previous compliance with all the requirements of Skyfox SB No.12 dated 18 March 1996 is considered to meet all the requirements of this Directive.
Background: In service experience and several in flight incidents has shown that the throttle control retaining grub screw can come loose if not engaged in a small recess in the cable slide and secured with Loctite. This Directive introduces a regular inspection to check the throttle control for security and a modification to ensure positive locking of the throttle control retaining grub screw. This Directive was issued against Skyfox CA25N aircraft in May 96 and should have been issued against CA22 aircraft at the same time.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, represent a comprehensive framework governing aviation safety in the country. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations focuses on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, aimed at ensuring that aircraft meet stringent safety standards. This legislative instrument addresses the identified problem of loose throttle control grub screws in Skyfox Aviation's CA21 and CA22A series aeroplanes, which has been linked to in-service incidents. By mandating inspections and modifications to secure the throttle control grub screw, the policy objective is to prevent potential safety hazards, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation operations within Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Skyfox CA22A aircraft, mandating stringent safety measures to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft. This legislation requires operators of Skyfox CA22A aircraft to inspect the throttle control locking grub screw for security and modify the throttle control in accordance with specified guidelines. Compliance with these directives is mandatory before the next flight and thereafter every 25 flight hours, with specific timelines for inspections and modifications if a loose grub screw is detected. The regulations also allow for previous compliance with related Skyfox Service Bulletin No. 12 dated 18 March 1996 to meet the requirements of this directive. The legislation ensures that the safety of these aircraft is maintained through regular inspections and appropriate modifications, addressing known issues with the throttle control system that could potentially lead to in-flight incidents.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically in the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertain to the Skyfox Aviation (Calair/Hedaro) CA21 and CA22A series aeroplanes. Section AD/CA21/8 outlines the requirements for the throttle control grub screw. It mandates that all Skyfox CA22A aircraft must undergo specific inspections and modifications to ensure the security and functionality of the throttle control locking grub screw (1). This includes inspecting the throttle control locking grub screw for security in accordance with Part A of Skyfox Service Bulletin No. 12 dated 18 March 1996, and modifying the throttle control as specified in Part B of the same bulletin (1). The compliance requirements dictate that these inspections and modifications must be conducted before the next flight and thereafter every 25 flight hours until the modification is completed (1). Specifically, if the inspection reveals a loose throttle control grub screw, the action must be taken before the next flight (2.a). Additionally, the modifications must be carried out within 100 flight hours of the directive's effective date (2.b).
The obligations imposed by these regulations on the parties involved, primarily aircraft operators and maintenance personnel, include conducting regular inspections and necessary modifications to the throttle control grub screw. These obligations are designed to prevent potential in-flight incidents that may arise from a loose or improperly secured grub screw. Operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that these inspections and modifications are performed meticulously and in accordance with the timelines specified in the directive. Failure to comply with these requirements could lead to serious safety hazards, as evidenced by the background context of in-service experience and in-flight incidents that prompted the issuance of this directive.
Breach of these obligations can result in significant legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement action against non-compliant aircraft operators and maintenance personnel. This could include administrative penalties, enforcement notices, and in severe cases, grounding of the affected aircraft until compliance is achieved. Moreover, pilots and operators may face criminal charges and penalties if their negligence leads to safety incidents or accidents. The maximum penalties for such offences can vary, but they may include substantial fines and imprisonment, reflecting the gravity of non-compliance with airworthiness directives that are essential for ensuring the safety of flight operations.