COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Skyfox Aviation (Hedaro) CA25 Series Aeroplanes
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CA25/10 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 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.
AD/CA25/10
Amdt 1
Applicability: All CA25 series aircraft.
Ailerons 10/2000 TX
Requirement: 1. Following instructions approved by a CAR 35 Authorised Person, inspect both the left and right ailerons for:
- Balance;
b. Rigging;
c. Corrosion, internal and external; and
d. Cracks in the joint between the aileron’s torque tube and its spar.
Note 1: The reason the Authority is not able to rely on the above inspections being done as part of normal maintenance is that none of the above inspections are included in the maintenance manual. That is the reason for this AD.
2. Following instructions approved by a CAR 35 Authorised Person, improve the sealing and drainage of both left and right ailerons.
3. Following instructions approved by a CAR 35 Authorised Person, inspect both the left and right ailerons for conformity with the type design of the joint between the aileron’s torque tube and its spar.
Note 2: In other words, check that the joint was built to drawing.
Compliance: For Requirement 1:
- Inspect before further flight after 24 August 2000.
- Reinspect at the times specified in the instructions approved by the CAR 35 Authorised Person.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Note 3: Inspection for corrosion and cracks is not required before further flight if the ailerons have been inspected since 7 July 2000 by a method approved by either the Authority or a CAR 35 Authorised Person. However, ailerons must be reinspected later at the times specified in instructions approved for Amendment 1 to this Airworthiness Directive by a CAR 35 Authorised Person.
Note 4: CAR 35 Authorised Persons may include in their instructions an option to modify the ailerons to avoid the need for further inspections for corrosion and cracks (Requirements 1c and 1d).
For Requirements 2 and 3: Before further flight after 7 September 2000.
Note 5: The Requirement 3 inspection is not necessary if the joint has been modified to a design approved under CAR 35. See Note 4.
This amendment becomes effective on 24 August 2000.
Background: The Civil Aviation Safety Authority received a report of the in-flight separation of the right hand aileron from a Skyfox CA25N aircraft. Investigation revealed that a failure occurred where the aileron’s torque tube attaches to its spar.
Further investigation has not been able to conclusively determine the cause of the failure. However it has revealed several potentially unsafe conditions that were not covered by the original issue of this AD. Therefore Amendment 1 expands the set of potentially unsafe conditions that must be checked before further flight. Also, in the absence of an active Type Certificate holder, Amendment 1 allows technically competent industry representatives to develop and approve their own safety solutions.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive was effective from 7 July 2000.
Neville James Probert
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 24 August 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 24 August 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation operations in Australia. The 1998 Regulations were introduced to consolidate and update existing aviation safety legislation, addressing gaps and outdated provisions in previous laws to better protect the public and maintain a high standard of safety in civil aviation. The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia enacted these regulations to provide a comprehensive legal framework governing civil aviation safety, including the issuance of Airworthiness Directives by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The policy objective of these regulations is to mitigate risks associated with civil aviation operations by setting stringent safety standards and enforcing compliance through directives and oversight. This approach ensures that aircraft and aeronautical products meet necessary safety criteria, thereby safeguarding passengers, crew, and the general public.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 pertains to all CA25 series aircraft and mandates specific actions to address identified unsafe conditions. This directive applies to all CA25 series aircraft and requires thorough inspections and corrective actions concerning the ailerons, including checking for balance, rigging, corrosion, and cracks at the joint between the aileron's torque tube and its spar. Additionally, it mandates improvements to the sealing and drainage of both the left and right ailerons, as well as ensuring conformity with the type design of the joint between the aileron’s torque tube and its spar. Compliance with these requirements must be met by CAR 35 Authorised Persons, with specific inspection and reinspection timelines provided for each requirement. Notably, the AD allows for some flexibility, such as the option to modify ailerons to avoid certain inspections, subject to approval by the Authority or a CAR 35 Authorised Person. This directive reflects the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's commitment to maintaining safety standards within the aviation industry and extends across the national jurisdiction of Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products. Specifically, AD/CA25/10 Amendment 1 pertains to the Skyfox Aviation (Hedaro) CA25 series aeroplanes, mandating certain inspections and actions to address identified unsafe conditions (subreg. 39.1(1)). The directive requires inspections of both left and right ailerons for balance, rigging, corrosion, and cracks in the joint between the aileron’s torque tube and its spar (s.1). Additionally, it requires improving the sealing and drainage of the ailerons and ensuring conformity with the type design for the joint between the aileron’s torque tube and its spar (ss.2 and 3).
The obligations imposed on the relevant parties, such as aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel, include adhering to the specified inspection and action requirements. They must ensure that inspections and corrective actions are carried out by a CAR 35 Authorised Person, who is qualified and approved under the relevant regulations. The inspections must be performed at the designated times and according to the instructions provided by the CAR 35 Authorised Person. For instance, inspections for balance, rigging, and sealing/drainage must be completed before further flight after 7 September 2000, while inspections for corrosion and cracks are subject to different timing criteria (s. Compliance).
Failure to comply with the AD's requirements can lead to serious consequences. The primary regulatory authority for enforcement is CASA, which may take action against non-compliance. In terms of civil and criminal liabilities, non-compliance with ADs is a serious matter that can result in penalties. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, individuals or entities failing to comply with an AD can be subject to fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The exact penalties can vary, but they can include substantial monetary fines and imprisonment terms, reflecting the critical nature of ensuring aviation safety.