AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CARGO/2 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.
Cargo Equipment
AD/CARGO/2
Amdt 1
GPI Cargo Nets 3/2003
Applicability: All 2M2N Cargo Net manufactured by GPI, subject to a specific certification under part number M1 13 01 2000 1300B released into service with JAA Form One Airworthiness Tag and marked QAC 160/TSO C90.
All 2G1N Cargo Net manufactured by GPI under part number GI 13 03 2000 1300A released into service with JAA Form One “Conformity Tag”.
Note: Under part number M1 13 01 2000 1300B, GP1 manufactured two net models:
- Non-reinforced nets may be identified by:
- the first lower mesh row is made of 13mm diameter ropes;
- all the other mesh are made of the same 13mm diameter ropes; or
- “Weight: 10,600 kgs” is written on the GPI manufacturer label.
b. Reinforced nets may be identified by:
- the first lower mesh row is made of 18mm diameter ropes;
- all the other mesh are made of 13mm diameter ropes; or
- “Weight: 13,700 kgs” is written on the GPI manufacturer label.
Requirement: 1. a. Non-reinforced 2M2N part number M1 13 01 2000 1300B nets must not be used unless pallet stowing is completed using appropriate stowing straps.
b. Remove from service the GPI 2M2N part number M1 13 01 2000 1300B non-reinforced nets.
2. The following GPI reinforced nets may be used under the following conditions:
- GPI 2M2N part number M1 13 01 2000 1300B reinforced nets: the pallet maximum load is limited to 5,130 kg (11,310 lb) and the nets can be used with their usual maximum load, provided the pallet stowing is completed by appropriate stowing straps.
Cargo Equipment
AD/CARGO/2 Amdt 1 (Continued)
b. GPI 2G1N part number G1 13 03 2000 1300A reinforced nets: the pallet maximum load is limited to 10,260 kg (22,620 lb) and the nets can be used with their usual maximum load, provided the pallet stowing is completed by appropriate stowing straps.
Note: DGAC AD 2002-367(B) R1 refers.
Compliance: 1. a. Before further use after 3 October 2002.
b. Within 30 days after 3 October 2002.
2. For a period not to exceed 6 months after 3 October 2002, after which time retire nets from service.
The compliance times remain unchanged by this Directive issue. This Amendment becomes effective on 20 March 2003.
Background: Tests performed in accordance with NAS 3610 Specifications indicated that nets failed at loads much lower than the specified, or placarded maximum weight. The reinforced nets failed at values equivalent to 75% of the required test load. This condition, unless corrected, could result in a hazardous cargo shift in the case of severe in-flight turbulence.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the related DGAC AD which was prompted as a result of tests on nets 2KL and 2L3N conducted per JTSO C90c and TSO C90c being successfully performed on 26 July 2002. As the nets tested were strictly identical in their manufacture to nets 2K3N part number K1 13 01 2000 1300 A and 2L3N part number L1 13 01 2000 1300 A, formerly produced by GPI, these nets can now be used without restriction.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 3 October 2002.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 6 February 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 February 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CARGO/2 Amdt 1 on 6 February 2003, addressing safety concerns with cargo nets manufactured by GPI. This legislative instrument was enacted to rectify the unsafe conditions identified in certain cargo nets, which failed at significantly lower loads than specified, potentially leading to hazardous cargo shifts during flights. The directive revokes the previous AD/CARGO/2 and establishes new requirements and restrictions for specific GPI cargo nets to mitigate risks. The policy objective is to ensure that cargo nets meet necessary safety standards to prevent in-flight accidents due to cargo shifting. This AD became effective on 20 March 2003, with compliance deadlines set for actions to be taken within 30 days of its issuance.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) applies specifically to cargo nets manufactured by GPI, which are identified by certain part numbers and certification statuses. These cargo nets include non-reinforced and reinforced models, which must meet specific identification criteria such as rope diameters and weight specifications marked on the manufacturer's label. The directive mandates that non-reinforced 2M2N cargo nets, which are part of the M1 13 01 2000 1300B series, must not be used unless they are appropriately pallet stowed with suitable stowing straps and also requires the removal of these nets from service. Reinforced nets, specifically those identified as M1 13 01 2000 1300B and G1 13 03 2000 1300A, may continue to be used provided that they are pallet stowed with appropriate straps and that the pallet load does not exceed specified maximum weights. The directive is effective from 3 October 2002, with compliance required within 30 days of this date, and mandates the retirement of certain nets from service within six months. This AD is applicable nationally across the Commonwealth of Australia, and its requirements are enforceable by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Key Provisions
The main sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) specify the applicability of the directive to certain cargo nets manufactured by GPI, and the requirements and compliance actions that must be taken. Specifically, section 1(a) of the AD applies to all 2M2N Cargo Nets manufactured by GPI under certain part numbers and released into service with JAA Form One Airworthiness Tag and marked QAC 160/TSO C90. Section 1(b) applies to all 2G1N Cargo Nets manufactured by GPI under a different part number and released into service with JAA Form One “Conformity Tag.” Section 2 of the AD outlines the specific requirements for these cargo nets. Non-reinforced 2M2N nets must not be used unless pallet stowing is completed using appropriate stowing straps, and these nets must be removed from service. Reinforced 2M2N and 2G1N nets may be used under certain conditions, including a limitation on the maximum load of the pallet and the requirement that pallet stowing is completed using appropriate stowing straps. The compliance section of the AD specifies that the requirements must be met before further use after October 3, 2002, and within 30 days after that date. The compliance times remain unchanged by this Directive issue.
The obligations and requirements imposed by this AD on the parties or entities it governs are significant. Operators of aircraft that use the affected cargo nets must ensure that they comply with the requirements set out in the AD, including removing non-reinforced 2M2N nets from service and ensuring that pallet stowing is completed using appropriate stowing straps for reinforced 2M2N and 2G1N nets. Failure to comply with the AD could result in serious safety risks, including a hazardous cargo shift in the case of severe in-flight turbulence. The AD also requires operators to ensure that the compliance actions are taken within the specified timeframes.
There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach of this AD outlined in the text. However, failure to comply with the AD could result in serious safety risks and potential liability for any accidents or incidents that occur as a result of non-compliance. The AD is a mandatory requirement issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998, and failure to comply with it could result in enforcement action being taken by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The maximum penalties for breaches of CAR 1998 are set out in section 36 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth) and can include fines of up to $222,200 for individuals and $1,111,000 for bodies corporate, as well as imprisonment for up to five years.