COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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.
Cargo Equipment
AD/CARGO/1 Ribeco Air Cargo Pallet 10/2002
Applicability: Ribeco air cargo pallets 7-2ALP-L-30-( ).
Requirement: 1. Inspect affected air cargo pallet for evidence of damage i.e. cracks or fractures.
2. Reduce the affected air cargo pallet permitted load to 75% of the specified maximum load determined by the manufacturer.
3. Retire affected air cargo pallets from service.
Note 1: Cancellation of the JTSO Authorisation LBA.O.11.400/171JTSO for the Ribeco air cargo pallets 7-2ALP-L-30-( ) is effective from 31 December 2002.
Note 2: LBA AD 2002-232 refers.
Compliance: 1. Before each pallet loading; effective 3 October 2002.
2. Before further use after 3 October 2002.
3. After 31 December 2002.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 October 2002.
Background: The LBA has determined that the air cargo pallet manufacturer has failed to complete certification testing of the affected air cargo pallet under maximum proof load. Due to insolvency proceedings, the manufacturer was removed from the German trade register and the LBA has moved to cancel the existing JTSO Authorisation.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 August 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 September 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 107, incorporates Airworthiness Directives (AD) aimed at maintaining the safety standards of civil aviation in Australia. Enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as a delegate of the Australian Government, these regulations are critical in addressing safety concerns and ensuring compliance with safety directives. The policy objective behind these regulations is to provide clear and enforceable safety measures to protect the integrity of air travel. The AD for the Ribeco Air Cargo Pallet, effective from 3 October 2002, was introduced in response to the manufacturer's failure to complete certification testing under maximum proof load, which led to safety concerns about the pallet's structural integrity. This directive mandates specific actions such as inspections, load restrictions, and retirement of affected pallets to mitigate the identified risks.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 107, establishes the scope and application of Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate. This particular directive, AD/CARGO/1, applies to all Ribeco air cargo pallets 7-2ALP-L-30-( ), mandating specific actions to be taken to rectify an unsafe condition identified in these cargo equipment. The directive is applicable to all persons and entities that own or operate these specified pallets. The directive's geographic reach is nationwide, as it applies to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniform compliance across all states and territories. The directive outlines mandatory actions, including inspecting the pallets for damage, reducing their permitted load to 75% of the manufacturer's specified maximum load, and retiring the affected pallets from service. The directive also notes the cancellation of the Joint Type Safety Organisation Authorisation, effective from 31 December 2002. The compliance timeline begins on 3 October 2002, with inspections required before each pallet loading and before further use after this date. The directive becomes effective immediately upon its publication in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 September 2002.
Key Provisions
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to specific Ribeco air cargo pallets, specifically the model 7-2ALP-L-30-( ). It mandates that these pallets be inspected for any damage, such as cracks or fractures, before being loaded (section 1). In the event that damage is found, the load capacity of the pallet must be reduced to 75% of its original maximum specified load as determined by the manufacturer (section 2). Additionally, any damaged pallets must be retired from service (section 3). The AD also notes that the cancellation of the Joint Type Safety Organisation (JTSO) Authorisation for these pallets will take effect from 31 December 2002 (Note 1).
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties involved. Firstly, it requires that inspections of the pallets be conducted before each pallet is loaded, starting from 3 October 2002 (section 1). This inspection must continue before the pallet is used again after this date (section 2). Finally, the AD mandates that the affected pallets be retired from service entirely after 31 December 2002 (section 3). This directive is intended to ensure the safety of cargo transportation by addressing potential issues with the specified air cargo pallets.
Non-compliance with this AD may result in significant legal and safety consequences. While the AD does not explicitly outline penalties for non-compliance, it is likely that failure to adhere to these requirements could lead to severe repercussions under the broader Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998). This could include fines, suspension of operations, or other regulatory actions. The specific consequences would depend on the extent of non-compliance and any additional regulatory provisions that apply. The safety of air cargo transportation is paramount, and any failure to comply with this AD could potentially result in serious safety hazards.