AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CRESCO/4 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 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.
Pacific Aerospace Corporation Cresco Series Aeroplanes
AD/CRESCO/4
Amdt 1
Rudder Top Hinge 6/2004
Applicability: All Cresco 08-600 series aircraft.
Requirement: | 1. | Accomplish the following: a. Perform a close visual inspection of the rudder top hinge. |
| | b. Cycle rudder between control stops and inspect upper rib for cracking around the two rivets that retain the hinge bolt nut plate. Refer items 32 and 33, IPC Chapter 27 Figure 5. |
| | c. Apply longitudinal and lateral loads to rudder. Ensure no radial freeplay is present. |
| | If any cracking, damage, or excessive freeplay is detected, repair or replace the rudder before further flight. |
| 2. | Modify rudder top rib assembly by incorporation of Pacific Aerospace Modification PAC/CR/0427 in accordance with Service Bulletin PACSB/CR/034. |
Note: NZ CAA AD DCA/CRESCO/5A refers.
Compliance: 1. Within 100 hours time in service after 19 February 2004, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service until compliance with Requirement 2.
2. Within 1,000 hours time in service after 10 June 2004, or before 25 March 2006, whichever occurs first.
The compliance time of Requirement 1 remains unchanged by this issue. This Amendment becomes effective on 10 June 2004.
Background: Numerous reports were received of failed rudder top hinges. Cracking and damage to the rudder top hinge could restrict rudder control and result in loss of control of the aircraft. The actions required by this Directive are intended to be interim until the manufacturer develops a modification.
Pacific Aerospace Corporation Cresco Series Aeroplanes
AD/CRESCO/4 Amdt 1 (continued)
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the related NZ CAA AD, which requires modification action in lieu of on-going repetitive inspections.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 28 April 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 May 2004.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive issued under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, and specifically through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), addresses the safety concerns associated with the rudder top hinge in the Pacific Aerospace Corporation Cresco Series Aeroplanes. The directive, AD/CRESCO/4 Amendment 1, was introduced to correct an unsafe condition identified in the rudder top hinge that could lead to restricted rudder control and subsequent loss of aircraft control. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft by mandating specific inspections and modifications to the rudder top hinge assembly. CASA revoked the previous AD/CRESCO/4 and issued this amendment in response to a revision of the related New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (NZ CAA) Airworthiness Directive, which required modification action instead of ongoing inspections. This amendment became effective on 10 June 2004 and was gazetted on 19 May 2004.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies specifically to all Cresco 08-600 series aircraft manufactured by Pacific Aerospace Corporation. It mandates corrective actions to address an unsafe condition identified in the rudder top hinge assembly. The directive applies to these aircraft irrespective of the entity or individual operating them, within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia. The AD outlines precise requirements that must be followed to ensure the safety of the aircraft, such as conducting a close visual inspection of the rudder top hinge, cycling the rudder between control stops, and applying specific loads to the rudder to check for any radial freeplay. Additionally, it mandates modifications to the rudder top rib assembly to mitigate the risk of rudder control failure. The directive is enforced in two stages: the initial inspection and corrective actions must be carried out within 100 hours of service after 19 February 2004, and further modifications must be completed within 1,000 hours of service after 10 June 2004, or by 25 March 2006, whichever is earlier. This AD is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is applicable throughout the Australian Commonwealth.
Key Provisions
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) addresses safety concerns with the rudder top hinge of Cresco 08-600 series aircraft. The AD, which amends AD/CRESCO/4, sets out specific requirements that must be fulfilled to mitigate the risk of rudder control failure due to hinge cracking or damage (AD/CRESCO/4 Amdt 1). The directive applies to all Cresco 08-600 series aircraft (Applicability). The requirements include a close visual inspection of the rudder top hinge, cycling the rudder between control stops to inspect for cracking, applying longitudinal and lateral loads to the rudder to ensure no radial freeplay, and repairing or replacing the rudder if any issues are detected (Requirement 1). Additionally, the directive mandates modifying the rudder top rib assembly by incorporating Pacific Aerospace Modification PAC/CR/0427 in accordance with Service Bulletin PACSB/CR/034 (Requirement 2). The compliance timeline mandates that Requirement 1 inspections be conducted within 100 hours of time in service following 19 February 2004, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours until Requirement 2 is met (Compliance 1). Requirement 2 must be completed within 1,000 hours of time in service following 10 June 2004, or before 25 March 2006, whichever occurs first (Compliance 2).
Operators of Cresco 08-600 series aircraft must adhere to these requirements to ensure the safety and airworthiness of their aircraft. This includes performing the specified inspections and modifications as outlined in the AD. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding and further regulatory action. Operators must ensure that all inspections and modifications are carried out by qualified personnel and that any issues detected are resolved promptly to maintain compliance with the AD.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD may result in severe consequences. The AD does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, but non-compliance with ADs can lead to significant regulatory action under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Such actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, and potential prosecution under the criminal code. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the importance of strict adherence to the AD requirements to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft.