AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CAP 232/3 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.
CAP Aviation (Akrotech and Mudry) CAP 232 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CAP 232/3
Amdt 3
Trim Control Tab Axis 12/2004
Applicability: CAP 232 aircraft, all serial numbers; and CAP 231 EX aircraft, serial numbers 02 through 06.
Requirement: 1. Replace trim tab control axis part number 2734-9220401A with a new trim tab control axis part number 2734-0212007, in accordance with Apex Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) No. 980901 Revision 4, dated June 2004.
2. Inspect the new trim tab control axis in accordance with SB No. 980901 Revision 4.
Note: DGAC AD F-2001-133 R3 refers.
Compliance: 1. At the next scheduled maintenance check (except daily inspection check) after 25 November 2004.
2. Following installation, inspect the new trim tab control axis at intervals not to exceed 100 flight hours.
Until the new trim tab control axis is installed, continue to inspect the previously installed trim tab control axis at intervals not to exceed 50 flight hours.
This Amendment becomes effective on 25 November 2004.
Background: Following a failure of the trim tab control axis, a life limit of 200 flight hours was imposed.
Amendment 1 introduced a new trim tab control axis with a life limit of 1,000 flight hours.
Amendment 2 introduced repetitive inspections of the new 1,000 hour life limited trim tab control axis, due to an in-service failure.
Amendment 3 is issued in response to a revision of the related DGAC AD, which requires replacement of the previously installed trim tab control axis with a new, improved, trim tab control axis.
CAP Aviation (Akrotech and Mudry) CAP 232 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CAP 232/3 Amdt 3 (continued)
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 2 May 2001. Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 13 June 2002.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 14 October 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 3 November 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced Amendment 3 to Airworthiness Directive AD/CAP 232/3 concerning the CAP Aviation (Akrotech and Mudry) CAP 232 Series Aeroplanes to address an identified safety concern related to the trim tab control axis. This amendment, which became effective on 25 November 2004, was necessitated by an in-service failure and the subsequent revision of the related French Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) Airworthiness Directive. The primary objective of this directive is to ensure the safety of these aircraft by mandating the replacement of the existing trim tab control axis with an improved version and establishing specific inspection intervals to monitor the condition of the new component. This directive applies to all CAP 232 aircraft and specific serial numbers of CAP 231 EX aircraft, requiring compliance at the next scheduled maintenance check after the effective date and ongoing inspections following the installation of the new component.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to CAP 232 aircraft of all serial numbers and CAP 231 EX aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 02 through 06. The directive mandates that the specified actions be taken in relation to the aircraft's trim tab control axis, specifically requiring the replacement of the control axis part number 2734-9220401A with a new part number 2734-0212007, in accordance with Apex Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) No. 980901 Revision 4, dated June 2004. Additionally, inspections of the new control axis must be conducted following the procedures outlined in the service bulletin. Compliance with these requirements must occur at the next scheduled maintenance check after 25 November 2004, with further inspections required at intervals not exceeding 100 flight hours following installation of the new control axis. Until the new control axis is installed, the previously installed axis must be inspected at intervals not exceeding 50 flight hours. The AD revokes previous amendments and becomes effective on 25 November 2004.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CAP 232/3 Amdt 3 mandates specific actions for CAP 232 aircraft of all serial numbers, and CAP 231 EX aircraft with serial numbers 02 through 06, focusing on the replacement and inspection of the trim tab control axis. The directive requires the replacement of part number 2734-9220401A with a new part number 2734-0212007, and it stipulates that this replacement must follow the instructions in Apex Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) No. 980901 Revision 4, dated June 2004. Additionally, the new trim tab control axis must be inspected in accordance with the same service bulletin.
This AD imposes several obligations on the operators and maintenance personnel of the affected aircraft. Firstly, they must replace the trim tab control axis as specified within the required timeframe. This replacement must adhere to the instructions provided in the aforementioned service bulletin. Secondly, the new trim tab control axis must undergo inspection at intervals not exceeding 100 flight hours following installation. Until the replacement is made, the previously installed trim tab control axis must be inspected at intervals not exceeding 50 flight hours.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD can lead to significant consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with ADs issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness with which the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) treats non-compliance with airworthiness directives. The specific penalties are determined by the severity of the non-compliance and may vary based on jurisdictional regulations.