AD/CASA/19 - False Spar, Flap Housing Area

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Civil Aviation (Safety) Act 1998, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. The specific legislative instrument F2006B04875 under Part 39 - 105 pertains to the CASA Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for the CASA 212 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the issue of cracking in the false spar, flap housing area of these aeroplanes, a problem identified to ensure continued airworthiness and safety. The objective is to maintain the structural integrity of the aircraft by requiring inspections and repairs as specified in the CASA document COM 212-224 dated 28 November 1990 and approved repair schemes under CAR 35. Compliance with these directives is mandatory within 1200 hours time in service after 15 August 1996, with periodic inspections if no cracking is detected.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically targeting CASA 212 Series Aeroplanes, as detailed in PART 39 - 105 of the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. These directives apply to all models of the CASA 212 Series Aeroplanes and mandate actions to be taken to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of these aircraft. The requirements outlined in the legislation mandate adherence to CASA document COM 212-224 dated 28 November 1990, which provides specific guidance on the necessary actions. Furthermore, any detected cracking in the false spar, flap housing area must be repaired following a scheme approved under CAR 35. The compliance timeline stipulates that these actions must be undertaken within 1200 hours of time in service after 15 August 1996, with subsequent inspections required at intervals not exceeding 1200 hours if no cracking is found. This regulation is pertinent to operators of CASA 212 Series Aeroplanes and ensures the maintenance of safety standards in accordance with CASA directives.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertaining to Casa 212 Series Aeroplanes, specifically addressing issues with the false spar in the flap housing area (section 1). The directive mandates that operators of these aircraft must adhere to the CASA document COM 212-224 dated 28 November 1990. This document provides specific instructions on the action to be taken, including the necessary repairs to address any cracking found in the designated area. Furthermore, these repairs must be executed in accordance with a scheme approved under CAR 35. This requirement ensures that any corrective actions are carried out under a regulatory framework that meets safety standards. Additionally, the directive refers to Spanish DGAC AD 02/96 for supplementary guidance. Operators of Casa 212 Series Aeroplanes must comply with the timeline and procedures outlined in the AD. Specifically, they must ensure that inspections and necessary repairs are conducted within 1200 hours of time in service after 15 August 1996. If no cracking is identified during the initial inspection, subsequent inspections must be carried out at intervals not exceeding 1200 hours of time in service (section 2). This schedule ensures that the aircraft remains airworthy and complies with the regulatory standards set by CASA. The directive also mandates that all inspections and repairs must be documented and retained as part of the aircraft's maintenance records. Failure to comply with the AD may result in significant consequences. Operators who do not adhere to the inspection and repair requirements specified in the directive risk compromising the safety and airworthiness of their aircraft. Such non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions by CASA, including fines, suspension, or revocation of the aircraft's operating certificate. Additionally, operators may face civil liability for any accidents or incidents that result from the failure to comply with the AD. The penalties for non-compliance can include substantial fines, as outlined in the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which may vary depending on the severity and circumstances of the breach. The AD further stipulates that any detected cracking must be repaired in accordance with an approved scheme under CAR 35 (section 3). This ensures that the repairs are performed to a standard that meets or exceeds CASA's safety requirements. Failure to follow the approved repair scheme could result in the repairs being deemed inadequate, leading to further enforcement actions and potential grounding of the aircraft until the deficiencies are rectified. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to CASA's guidelines to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation operations.