COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
C.A.C. CA-28 (Ceres) Series Aeroplanes
AD/CERES/7
Amdt 1
Turnover Truss - Modification 9/99
Applicability: C.A.C. “Ceres” Aeroplanes S/Nos. 5(VH-CDO), 6(VH-CEG) and 13(VH-SSF). Document: Ceres SB No. 45.
Compliance: Not later than 21 January 1980.
This Amendment becomes effective on 9 September 1999.
Note: Modifications performed in accordance with AD/CA-28/7 satisfy the requirements of this Directive.
Background: In a recent accident involving overturn on landing the overturn truss collapsed with fatal consequences for the pilot.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 31 January 1980.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through Legislative Instrument F2006B04896, address specific safety concerns within the aviation industry, particularly focusing on the airworthiness of certain aircraft models. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, these regulations aim to ensure that aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to prevent accidents and protect the lives of passengers and crew. The policy objective behind these amendments is to enhance the structural integrity and operational safety of the specified aircraft models, thereby mitigating the risk of accidents such as those resulting from structural failures during critical phases of flight. This particular amendment to the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, concerning the turnover truss modification for "Ceres" series aeroplanes, was introduced to address the identified problem of structural failure during landing, which had previously led to fatal outcomes. The regulation mandates specific compliance timelines and modifications to ensure that affected aircraft are brought up to the required safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, and in this instance, it applies to the C.A.C. "Ceres" Series Aeroplanes, namely those with serial numbers 5 (VH-CDO), 6 (VH-CEG), and 13 (VH-SSF). This legislation is directed towards the aviation industry and specifically targets the entities and persons responsible for the maintenance and operation of these particular aircraft. The regulations mandate compliance with the airworthiness directives issued by CASA to ensure the safety of these aircraft. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this legislation is nationwide, as CASA operates under the Commonwealth of Australia. The legislation does not explicitly state exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but it is implied that the directives apply universally to the specified aircraft within Australia's jurisdiction. Furthermore, the application of this Act can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments issued by CASA, ensuring that safety standards are maintained and adapted to any new findings or technological advancements in the aviation sector.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes amendments to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. Within this framework, AD/CERES/7 Amendment 1 addresses the critical issue of the turnover truss modification for the C.A.C. "Ceres" Series Aeroplanes. This amendment applies to specific serial numbers, namely 5 (VH-CDO), 6 (VH-CEG), and 13 (VH-SSF) (Section 1). Compliance with these directives is mandatory, requiring that the modifications be completed no later than 21 January 1980. The amendment itself became effective on 9 September 1999, indicating that operators must adhere to this timeline to maintain airworthiness (Section 2).
Operators of the affected Ceres aeroplanes must ensure that the turnover truss modifications are carried out in accordance with the specified requirements, which are detailed in Ceres Service Bulletin No. 45 (Section 3). This necessitates a thorough understanding and implementation of the modifications as outlined in the service bulletin to ensure the structural integrity of the aircraft during landings. Failure to comply with these directives can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, thus impacting the operator's ability to legally fly the aircraft.
Failure to adhere to the provisions outlined in AD/CERES/7 Amendment 1 may result in severe consequences. The primary concern is the risk of structural failure during landing, which could lead to accidents with potentially fatal outcomes. Furthermore, non-compliance with these airworthiness directives can result in regulatory action by CASA, including fines, enforcement actions, or even grounding of the aircraft until the necessary modifications are completed (Section 4). Operators must, therefore, ensure strict adherence to the timeline and requirements specified to avoid these repercussions.
In summary, AD/CERES/7 Amendment 1 is a critical directive aimed at enhancing the safety of Ceres aeroplanes by mandating specific modifications to the turnover truss. Operators must comply with these directives to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft. Non-compliance can result in significant penalties and legal consequences, highlighting the importance of adhering to CASA's regulations.