COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series Aeroplanes
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/CL-600/42 Lower Wing Plank 8/2001
Applicability: Model CL-600-2B19 aircraft, serial numbers 7003 through 7999. Requirement: Perform a detailed visual inspection of the left and right wings at rear spar WS
148.019 in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier
Alert Service Bulletin A601R-57-031, dated 22 March 2001. If cracks are found, repair before further flight.
Note: Transport Canada AD CF-2001-15 refers.
Compliance: Initially, in accordance with the following schedule:
- For aircraft that have accumulated 6,500 total flight cycles or less at 9 August 2001; before exceeding 7,000 total flight cycles; and,
b. For aircraft that have accumulated more than 6,500 total flight cycles but not more than 13,500 total flight cycles at the effective date of this Directive; within 500 flight cycles after 9 August 2001 or before accumulating 13,700 total flight cycles, whichever occurs first; and,
c. For aircraft that have exceeded 13,500 total flight cycles at 9 August 2001; within 200 flight cycles after 9 August 2001.
Subsequently, repeat at intervals not to exceed 5,000 flight cycles. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 9 August 2001.
Background: Cracks on the left and right hand sides of the lower wing plank at wing station 148 have been discovered on a number of in-service aircraft. Failure of the lower wing plank would compromise the structural integrity of the wing.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 26 June 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 July 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to provide a regulatory framework for the aviation industry in Australia, ensuring safety and efficiency in civil aviation. This legislation was introduced by the Parliament of Australia to address gaps in aviation safety and operational standards. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39, focus on ensuring that all aircraft are maintained to a high standard of airworthiness. One specific example of this is the Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address identified safety issues. This directive mandates specific actions to rectify unsafe conditions, such as requiring detailed inspections and repairs to aircraft components to prevent structural failures. The policy objective behind these directives is to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation, ensuring the protection of passengers, crew, and the general public.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This particular directive applies to Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) series aeroplanes, specifically model CL-600-2B19 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 7003 to 7999. The directive mandates a detailed visual inspection of the left and right wings at rear spar WS148.019, as outlined in Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-57-031 dated 22 March 2001. If cracks are detected, they must be repaired before further flight. The directive is applicable nationwide within Australia, and its compliance schedule is contingent on the total flight cycles accumulated by the aircraft as of 9 August 2001. The directive became effective on 9 August 2001 and is published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 July 2001.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive AD/CL-600/42 mandates a detailed visual inspection of the left and right wings at rear spar WS148.019 for Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) series aeroplanes, specifically model CL-600-2B19 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 7003 through 7999. This inspection must be carried out in accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-57-031, dated 22 March 2001. If any cracks are discovered during the inspection, they must be repaired before any further flight is undertaken.
The obligations imposed by this directive are quite specific. Aircraft operators must ensure that the visual inspection is conducted meticulously and in compliance with the stipulated instructions. For aircraft that have accumulated 6,500 total flight cycles or less as of 9 August 2001, the inspection must be completed before the aircraft reaches 7,000 total flight cycles. For those aircraft that have accumulated more than 6,500 but not more than 13,500 total flight cycles by the directive's effective date, the inspection must occur within 500 flight cycles after 9 August 2001, or before the aircraft accumulates 13,700 total flight cycles, whichever comes first. For aircraft that have already exceeded 13,500 total flight cycles by 9 August 2001, the inspection must be completed within 200 flight cycles after 9 August 2001. Subsequent inspections must then be repeated at intervals not exceeding 5,000 flight cycles.
Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive may result in serious safety implications. The directive explicitly states that cracks in the lower wing plank could compromise the structural integrity of the wing, posing a significant risk to flight safety. The directive's compliance is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), and non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions, which could include grounding of the aircraft, financial penalties, and other civil or criminal consequences as prescribed by the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations. While specific penalties are not detailed in the directive itself, they would be determined in accordance with the broader regulatory framework governing aviation safety in Australia.