AD/CAP 10/8 Amdt 1 - Aileron Bellcrank Bolts

Overview

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CAP 10/8 Amendment 1 was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in 2004 to address a specific safety concern identified in the Avions Mudry Cap Series Aeroplanes. This directive revokes the previous AD/CAP 10/8 and mandates that certain aileron bellcrank pivot bolts in selected APEX AIRCRAFT CAP10B aeroplanes be replaced to mitigate vibrations in the aileron system during rapid descent. The action is to be taken in accordance with the APEX aircraft Service Bulletin 031101 dated 16 July 2004 or any subsequent revisions approved by the DGAC/EASA, with compliance required within 50 flight hours from the effective date of this AD. This AD aims to rectify the unsafe condition identified and was introduced to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft models.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 pertains specifically to Avions Mudry CAP10B aeroplanes, targeting certain serial numbers to address a safety concern involving aileron bellcrank bolts. This directive applies to aircraft with serial numbers up to 299 inclusive, those modified in accordance with modification 000302 “CAP10C wing,” and serial numbers ranging from 300 to 310 inclusive, as well as serial numbers 312 and 313. The requirement is to replace the aileron bellcrank pivot bolts in compliance with the APEX aircraft Service Bulletin 031101 dated 16 July 2004 or any later revision approved by the DGAC/EASA. This action is mandated to mitigate vibrations in the aileron system observed during rapid descent. The directive stipulates that this replacement must be carried out within 50 flight hours from the effective date of the AD, which is 23 December 2004, unless it has already been accomplished. The scope of this directive is national, encompassing the entire Commonwealth of Australia, and it is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CAP 10/8 Amendment 1 issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) mandates specific actions to address a safety concern with certain Mudry Cap Series Aeroplanes. Specifically, it applies to APEX AIRCRAFT CAP10B aeroplanes with serial numbers up to 299 inclusive, modified according to modification 000302 “CAP10C wing,” as well as those with serial numbers 300 through 310 inclusive, and serial numbers 312 and 313. The directive requires the replacement of aileron bellcrank pivot bolts in compliance with the APEX aircraft Service Bulletin 031101 dated 16 July 2004 or any later revision approved by DGAC/EASA. This action aims to mitigate the vibrations observed in the aileron system during rapid descent, which could compromise the aircraft's control stability. The AD imposes clear obligations on the operators and owners of the affected aircraft. They must ensure that the specified action is carried out within 50 flight hours from the effective date of this AD. This requirement underscores the urgency and importance of addressing the identified unsafe condition to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the AD within the specified timeframe could result in the aircraft being considered unairworthy, potentially leading to operational restrictions or grounding. Non-compliance with the AD carries significant consequences, including potential penalties and legal repercussions. Under CASR, failure to adhere to an AD can be considered a breach of airworthiness regulations, which may result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The specific penalties for such breaches can include fines and, in severe cases, the suspension or revocation of the aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness. These stringent measures are intended to ensure that all necessary safety actions are promptly taken to prevent any risk to flight safety.