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/21 Wing Rib/Spar Attachment and
L.E. Support Block Nails
4/80
Applicability: All models 7GC, 7GCA, 7GCB, 7GCBA, 7HC, 7KC and 7KCAB; All models 7ECA with S/Nos. 1 to 1350-80; All models 7GCAA with S/Nos. 1 to 396-80; All models 7GCBC with S/Nos. 1 to 1213-80; All models 8KCAB with S/Nos. 3-70 to 638-80; All models 8GCBC with S/Nos. 1-74 to 355-80.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Bellanca SL No. C-139. Compliance: In accordance with Requirement Document.
Background: The manufacturer has received reports of the rib/spar attachment and leading edge support block nails loosening and backing out of the spar.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, form the backbone of the regulatory framework governing civil aviation safety in Australia. Part 39, specifically, deals with airworthiness directives, which are mandatory orders issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the continuing airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/CHA/21, pertains to American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) Series Aeroplanes and addresses a specific safety issue concerning the wing rib/spar attachment and leading edge support block nails. The directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of these components loosening and backing out of the spar, which could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft and potentially lead to in-flight failures.
The directive applies to various models of American Champion aeroplanes, specifically identifying serial number ranges where the issue is most prevalent. The requirement outlined in AD/CHA/21 mandates corrective actions as per Bellanca Service Letter No. C-139 to ensure compliance. The overarching policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by addressing known structural vulnerabilities, thereby protecting the lives of passengers and crew and maintaining the highest standards of aircraft safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, addresses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, including AD/CHA/21 concerning American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument applies to specific models of aeroplanes manufactured by American Champion, namely all models 7GC, 7GCA, 7GCB, 7GCBA, 7HC, 7KC, and 7KCAB, along with certain serial number ranges for models 7ECA, 7GCAA, 7GCBC, 8KCAB, and 8GCBC. This regulation mandates compliance with the requirements set out by Bellanca Service Letter No. C-139 to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft. The directive extends to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, thereby enforcing these safety measures across state and territory boundaries. No exclusions or exemptions are specified in this directive, meaning all affected aircraft must comply without exception. Compliance is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which may extend or refine the application of these directives through subordinate instruments as necessary to ensure ongoing safety and regulatory adherence.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of this legislation pertain to the applicability and requirements of the airworthiness directives (AD) for specific models of American Champion aeroplanes. Section 1 outlines the models of aeroplanes that are subject to this directive (105.13). These models include all variants of the 7GC, 7GCA, 7GCB, 7GCBA, 7HC, 7KC, and 7KCAB series, as well as specific serial number ranges for the 7ECA, 7GCAA, 7GCBC, 8KCAB, and 8GCBC models. The requirement (105.14) is for action to be taken in accordance with Bellanca Service Letter No. C-139, ensuring compliance with the specific requirements outlined in the Requirement Document.
The obligations imposed by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 are to ensure that the specified models of aeroplanes are maintained to a standard that meets airworthiness criteria. Operators and owners of these aircraft must follow the directives provided by the manufacturer, Bellanca, to rectify the identified issues with the rib/spar attachment and leading edge support block nails. This involves inspecting the specified parts, replacing or repairing as necessary, and ensuring that all work is completed in accordance with the manufacturer's guidance and the Regulation's requirements.
Failure to comply with these directives can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce compliance, and non-compliance can result in the aeroplane being deemed unairworthy. This could lead to the grounding of the aircraft until the necessary actions are taken. In terms of penalties, CASA can impose fines and other sanctions on operators and owners who do not adhere to the ADs. The exact penalties can vary based on the severity and frequency of non-compliance, but they are intended to ensure that all aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to protect passengers and crew.