Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) were enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to regulate civil aviation safety. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations addresses the schedule of airworthiness directives, which are legal mandates issued to ensure aircraft safety. The purpose of these directives is to address identified safety issues by requiring specific actions to be taken on particular aircraft or aeronautical products to correct unsafe conditions. In the case of AD/CL-600/36, the directive was introduced to address the problem of premature failure of elevator flutter damper shear pins in Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) series aeroplanes due to quality control issues. This was done to restore the certified fatigue life of the shear pins and ensure continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority delegated by the Commonwealth of Australia, with the clear policy objective of enhancing aviation safety through proactive measures.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to the Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series aeroplanes, specifically model CL-600-2B19 “Regional Jet” aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 7003 through 7357. The directive mandates specific actions regarding the elevator flutter damper shear pins to ensure compliance with safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive outlines different requirements for various serial numbers, including the installation of new shear pins for certain aircraft and the verification of existing shear pins for others. This regulatory measure is designed to rectify the issue of premature failure of shear pins identified due to quality control problems, thereby enhancing the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft. The AD applies to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, with compliance deadlines specified for different actions to be taken within a defined timeframe.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, mandate the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (AD) to address safety concerns in civil aviation. This particular AD/CL-600/36 (paragraphs 105.124 to 105.127) pertains to Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series Aeroplanes, specifically focusing on elevator flutter damper shear pins for aircraft serial numbers 7003 through 7357. The AD, issued by the CASA delegate Bernard Malcolm Hole, is effective from 13 July 2000. The AD outlines specific requirements for Bombardier CL-600-2B19 "Regional Jet" aircraft. For aircraft serial numbers 7003 through 7142, and 7144, the directive mandates the installation of new shear pins part number 601R24063-31/S, as detailed in Bombardier Service Bulletin (SB) 601R-27-100. This action is to be completed in accordance with the instructions provided in the accomplishment instructions, Part A of the SB. For aircraft serial numbers 7143, and 7145 through 7357, the directive requires a review of the maintenance logbook or records to ascertain whether any elevator flutter damper shear pins have been replaced since delivery. If the shear pins have not been replaced, or if they have been replaced with part number 601R24063-31/S, no further action is necessary. However, if it cannot be verified that new shear pins have been installed, the directive requires the insertion of a copy of TR RJ/68-1 into the Aircraft Flight Manual and the implementation of additional first flight of the day checks of the elevator control system, as described in TR RJ/68-1. The AD imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Owners and operators of the affected aircraft must comply with the specified requirements within the stipulated timeframes. For aircraft serial numbers 7003 through 7142, and 7144, the installation of new shear pins must be completed by 14 April 2001. For serial numbers 7143, and 7145 through 7357, the review of maintenance records and subsequent actions must be completed within 30 days after 13 July 2000, and no later than 14 April 2001. Failure to adhere to these obligations could lead to significant safety risks and potential legal consequences. In terms of consequences, the AD does not explicitly outline specific civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance. However, non-compliance with ADs is generally considered a breach of aviation safety regulations. Such breaches could result in enforcement actions by CASA, including fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, or other regulatory measures. Additionally, failure to comply with ADs may lead to operational disruptions and could potentially result in safety incidents, which could further escalate to criminal charges if gross negligence or willful disregard for safety regulations is established.