AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CAP 10/4 Amdt 2 and issues the following 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.
Avions Mudry Cap Series Aeroplanes
AD/CAP 10/4
Amdt 3
Flight Limitations 12/2003 DM
Applicability: CAP 10B aircraft with serial numbers 01, 02, 03, 04, and 1 through 282, which are not fitted with a replacement wood/carbon wing following application of major change 000302.
Requirement: 1. Check that No. 1 wing rib has been modified in accordance with Service Bulletin CAP10B No.16 (CAP10B-57-004).
If so, the limitations of Requirements 2 and 3 apply. Also, perform the actions described in Requirement 4.
If not, the aircraft is not to be operated. Contact the Type Certificate holder (APEX Aircraft, 1 route de Troyes, 21121 DAROIS, FRANCE, Fax +33 3 80 35
65 15, Email: airworthiness@apex-aircraft.com)
2. Load factors
The flight envelope is limited as follows:
- For solo flights, from -3.5 to + 5;
- With 2 persons on board, from –3.5 to + 4.3
- Flick manoeuvres speed limitation
The airspeed for positive and negative flick manoeuvres must never exceed 160 km/hr (86 kts).
Install a temporary placard in full view of the pilot specifying the two limitations defined in Requirements 2 and 3.
No aircraft can be operated if the limitations defined in Requirements 2 and 3 are exceeded. In that case contact APEX Aircraft.
4. Perform the following repetitive inspections in accordance with the appropriate maintenance manual:
- Perform inspections of the upper and lower spar flanges.
- Inspect the landing gear attachment blocks.
Avions Mudry Cap Series Aeroplanes
AD/CAP 10/4 Amdt 3 (continued)
Note: DGAC Emergency AD U2003-375(A) refers.
Compliance: For Requirements 1, 2, and 3: Before further flight after 1 October 2003.
For Requirement 4.a.:
- At each Intermediate inspection (at intervals not to exceed 55 flying hours).
b. After a hard or overweight landing.
c. After exceeding the airframe limitations. For Requirement 4.b.: At each annual inspection.
This Amendment becomes effective on 1 October 2003.
Background: The DGAC received a further report of a wing in-flight structural failure. Spar inspections in accordance with Avion Mudry Service Bulletin (SB) No. 15 Revision 1, and the wing covering inspection in accordance with Cap Aviation SB 990501 (mandated by the original issue of this AD) do not appear to have been effective in detecting defects in the wing structure. A single exceedence of the wing limit load factor can result in compression failures inside the wing main spar. These failures can then spread under loads within the aircraft’s flight envelope. In extreme cases this can lead to in-flight wing failure within the aircraft’s approved flight envelope.
Hence, aircraft may already contain defects which will remain undetected by SB15 inspection methods. Amendment 2 introduced a new inspection process that replaces the inspection previously required by SB No. 15.
Amendment 3 is issued in response to a new DGAC AD which was prompted by a new in-flight fracture of a CAP 10B wing in June 2003. Initial investigation indicates a possible incorrect application of SB No. 16.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 25 September 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 1 October 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Amendment Instrument 2003 (F2006B04846) was enacted in 2003 to address the identified safety concerns regarding the Mudry Cap Series Aeroplanes, specifically those with certain serial numbers. This legislative instrument was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in response to incidents of in-flight structural failure and to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft. The primary objective of this amendment is to mandate specific modifications and inspections to prevent potential wing failures during flight, thus enhancing the safety standards of the affected aircraft. The directive revokes a previous amendment and sets forth new requirements for the modification of wing ribs, load factor limitations, and repetitive inspections to ensure compliance with the updated safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CAP 10/4 Amdt 3 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Avions Mudry Cap Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers 01, 02, 03, 04, and 1 through 282, excluding those fitted with a replacement wood/carbon wing following major change 000302. The AD mandates certain safety measures to address identified unsafe conditions related to the aircraft’s structural integrity, particularly concerning the No. 1 wing rib modifications and the limits of the flight envelope. The requirements outlined in the AD necessitate modifications, operational limitations, and specific inspection protocols to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft. The AD’s applicability is restricted to these particular serial numbers and excludes those with the specified wing modifications, and it mandates compliance with the stipulated requirements and inspection intervals. The AD is effective across the Commonwealth of Australia, encompassing all relevant aircraft operating within Australian jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CAP 10/4 Amdt 3 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies to specific Avions Mudry Cap Series Aeroplanes with certain serial numbers, excluding those fitted with a replacement wood/carbon wing as per major change 000302. The AD outlines several key requirements for the operation and maintenance of these aircraft to address identified safety concerns. Firstly, it mandates that the No. 1 wing rib must be verified to have been modified in accordance with Service Bulletin CAP10B No. 16 (CAP10B-57-004). If this modification is confirmed, the aircraft must adhere to specific flight limitations and inspection protocols as outlined in the AD; if the modification has not been made, the aircraft must not be operated and the Type Certificate holder must be contacted immediately.
The obligations imposed by this AD include ensuring that the specified aircraft undergo the required modifications and adhere to the outlined flight limitations and inspection schedules. Pilots and operators must perform these checks and modifications before any further flight after 1 October 2003. Additionally, inspections must be conducted at each intermediate inspection, which should occur at intervals not exceeding 55 flying hours, after a hard or overweight landing, and after exceeding the airframe limitations. Annual inspections must also be conducted as specified. These obligations ensure that the safety issues identified in previous incidents are addressed effectively.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD can result in significant consequences. Operating an aircraft that does not meet the AD's stipulations can lead to severe safety risks, including potential in-flight structural failure. There are no explicit penalties stated within the AD itself, but non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. Such actions can include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, and potential criminal charges in cases of gross negligence or willful disregard of safety regulations. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the importance of strict adherence to the AD's provisions.