AD/CASA/3 - Wing Flap Control Hinge Bearing - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 – 105, was enacted to ensure the airworthiness of civil aircraft within Australia and to address safety issues pertinent to the aviation industry. The legislation is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which sets and enforces safety standards to protect the public. The particular legislative instrument, F2006B04883, pertains to Airworthiness Directives (AD) for the CASA-212 series aeroplanes, specifically targeting the replacement of wing flap control hinge bearings to mitigate the risk of breakage and corrosion. This AD was introduced in response to documented instances of bearing failures reported by the manufacturer, Construcciones Aeronauticas, necessitating compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1983, or if previously unaddressed. The objective is to maintain the safety and operational integrity of these aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically targeting the Casa 212 series aeroplanes. The directive mandates the replacement of the wing flap control hinge bearing in all models of the CASA-212 with serial numbers referenced in the requirement document, namely Construcciones Aeronauticas SB 212-27-19. This requirement applies to all such aircraft models that have accumulated 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1983, unless the replacement has already been performed. The directive is motivated by reports from the manufacturer indicating instances of breakage and corrosion of the premod bearings, which necessitate timely compliance to ensure continued airworthiness and safety. This regulation has a direct impact on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel responsible for ensuring the ongoing compliance of CASA-212 aeroplanes with CASA standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) that are critical for ensuring the safety of aircraft operations. In this context, AD/CASA/3 addresses a particular issue with the wing flap control hinge bearing in the Casa 212 Series Aeroplanes. Section 3/83 of the legislation mandates that all models CASA-212 with serial numbers specified in the requirement document must undergo a replacement of the wing flap control hinge bearing. This directive is rooted in Construcciones Aeronauticas SB 212-27-19, which provides the technical details and specifications for the replacement. The key requirement (section 3/83) is that the replacement must be carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1983, unless the task has already been completed. This timeline ensures that all affected aircraft are brought up to the required safety standards without undue delay. The legislation also includes background information (section 3/83) that explains the manufacturer's report of breakage and corrosion of the premod bearings, highlighting the necessity for this directive. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and straightforward. Aircraft operators must ensure that the specified maintenance action is undertaken within the prescribed timeframe. This involves identifying the affected aircraft, sourcing the necessary replacement parts, and scheduling the maintenance work to be carried out by qualified personnel. The requirement is designed to mitigate the risk of in-flight failure due to bearing issues, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety. Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive can result in significant consequences. Section 3/83 specifies that non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. This can include fines, penalties, and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required maintenance is performed. The maximum penalties for non-compliance can be substantial, reflecting the serious nature of ensuring airworthiness and passenger safety. Operators must be vigilant in adhering to these directives to avoid legal repercussions and to maintain the highest standards of safety in their operations.