COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) Series Aeroplanes
AD/CHA/11
Amdt 3
Undercarriage Attachments 4/79
Applicability: All models 7ECA, 7GCAA, 7KCAB, 7GCBC, 8KCAB and 8GCBC.
Requirement: 1. Remove the “U” bolt securing the undercarriage spring leg and inspect using the magnetic particle method for cracks particularly in the area of the threads and the radius of the bends.
2. Remove the AN-7 bolt attaching the inboard end of the under-carriage spring leg and inspect using the magnetic particle method for cracks particularly in the area of the thread and the radius under the bolt head.
3. Retire from service the AN-7 bolt attaching the inboard end of the undercarriage spring leg.
4. Modify the undercarriage attachment by replacing the AN-7 bolt and nut attaching the inboard end of the spring leg with a MS20007-34 bolt, MS20002C7 washer under the bolt head, MS20002-7 washers as required under the nut and an NAS679-A7 nut or equivalent self-locking type. Torque nut to 650 to 700 inch pounds.
Note: Bellanca Service Letter No C-135 refers.
Compliance: For Para. 1 - Unless already accomplished, within 25 hours time in service after 1 March 1979 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 300 hours time in service.
For Para. 2 - Unless already accomplished, within 25 hours time in service after 1 March 1979 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service until modified in accordance with Para. 4. For Para. 3 - Unless already accomplished, within 25 hours time in service after 1 March 1979 for bolts in excess of 300 hours total time in service and before exceeding 300 hours total time in service for AN7 bolts with less than 300 hours.
For Para. 4 - At next major inspection after 31 June 1979.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, address the need for stringent safety standards in civil aviation. These regulations, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were introduced to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. The regulations encompass a wide range of requirements and directives to maintain airworthiness and safety, including specific Airworthiness Directives (ADs) such as those for American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) Series Aeroplanes. The policy objective behind these regulations is to prevent accidents and ensure the highest safety standards are met in the operation of civil aircraft.
One particular directive under these regulations, AD/CHA/11 Amendment 3, pertains to the undercarriage attachments of certain American Champion aeroplane models. This directive mandates inspections and modifications to specific components, such as the "U" bolt and the AN-7 bolt, to detect and prevent cracks, and to replace certain bolts with stronger alternatives. The directive requires compliance within specific time intervals to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of these aircraft. This directive exemplifies the detailed approach taken by CASA to maintain and enhance aviation safety through regulatory oversight.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to the maintenance and operational safety of American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) Series Aeroplanes. This regulation applies to all models within the series, including 7ECA, 7GCAA, 7KCAB, 7GCBC, 8KCAB, and 8GCBC. The primary focus of this directive is on the undercarriage attachments, stipulating specific inspections and modifications to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, extending across all states and territories within Australia, as it is a Commonwealth regulation. The directive outlines detailed requirements for the inspection and replacement of critical components, such as the "U" bolt and the AN-7 bolt, with specific intervals and methods to be followed. Compliance with these directives is mandatory for all aircraft operating within Australian airspace, ensuring adherence to safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) under PART 39 - 105 provide specific directives for maintaining the airworthiness of American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) Series Aeroplanes. The key sections (AD/CHA/11Amdt 3) outline the required maintenance and modifications for undercarriage attachments on various models. Specifically, sections mandate the removal and inspection of the “U” bolt and the AN-7 bolt for cracks, followed by the replacement of the AN-7 bolt with a MS20007-34 bolt and associated washers and nuts. These inspections and modifications are crucial for ensuring the integrity of the undercarriage structure.
The obligations imposed by these regulations require aircraft operators to adhere to stringent maintenance schedules. For instance, inspections must be carried out within specified time intervals after the amendment date of 1 March 1979. Paragraph 1 requires inspections at intervals not exceeding 300 hours of time in service, while paragraph 2 mandates inspections at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the modifications outlined in paragraph 4 are implemented. Paragraph 3 requires the retirement of the AN-7 bolt if it exceeds 300 hours of total time in service, or before it reaches 300 hours if it has less. Paragraph 4 specifies that the modifications should be carried out at the next major inspection after 31 June 1979. Compliance with these requirements is essential to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the directives and maintenance schedules can result in significant penalties and consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the extract, breaches of airworthiness regulations under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth) can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment, reflecting the serious nature of non-compliance with safety directives. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the breach and any resultant harm or risk posed to aviation safety. Operators must therefore ensure strict adherence to the outlined requirements to avoid these consequences.