Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, aim to ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products within the nation's airspace. In addressing the identified problem of horizontal stabiliser main spar top cap cracking in Cresco 08-600 aircraft, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive AD/CRESCO/8 on 5 August 2004. This legislative instrument mandates inspections in accordance with Pacific Aerospace Service Bulletin PACSB/CR/032, requiring the replacement of cracked spar caps before further flight. The policy objective is to mitigate the risk of in-service cracking and ensure the ongoing airworthiness of affected aircraft, as evidenced by the requirement for inspections at specified intervals post the AD's effective date. This directive is part of CASA's ongoing efforts to maintain high safety standards within the aviation sector.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) under Part 39, specifically Airworthiness Directive AD/CRESCO/8, pertains to Cresco 08-600 aircraft manufactured by Pacific Aerospace Corporation. This directive applies to all Cresco 08-600 aircraft and mandates that inspections and corrective actions be taken on the horizontal stabiliser main spar top cap to address the risk of cracking, which poses a safety hazard. The directive outlines the necessity for inspections in accordance with Pacific Aerospace Service Bulletin PACSB/CR/032, with the requirement to replace the spar cap if any cracks are detected before further flights. Compliance with this directive is contingent on the aircraft’s total time in service, with the initial inspection required within 2,500 hours or within 100 hours after 5 August 2004, whichever is later, followed by subsequent inspections at intervals not exceeding 100 hours. The directive became effective on 5 August 2004, and its issuance and compliance are overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with its details published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 July 2004.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD/CRESCO/8) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) mandates specific actions to address a safety concern identified in Cresco 08-600 aircraft. Specifically, section 8 of the AD requires an inspection of the horizontal stabiliser main spar top cap in accordance with the instructions set out in Pacific Aerospace Service Bulletin PACSB/CR/032 (subsection (a)). If the inspection reveals any cracking in the spar top cap, it must be replaced before any further flight (subsection (b)). The AD specifies that the initial inspection must be carried out at 2,500 hours total time in service or within 100 hours after 5 August 2004, whichever occurs later. Subsequent inspections must then be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service (subsection (c)). The AD imposes several obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Firstly, it requires operators of Cresco 08-600 aircraft to conduct the specified inspection of the horizontal stabiliser main spar top cap as per the stipulated timeframes and instructions. This includes ensuring that the inspection is carried out by qualified personnel in accordance with the guidelines provided in the referenced service bulletin. Furthermore, if any cracking is found during the inspection, the operator must replace the spar top cap before continuing any flights. These obligations are aimed at ensuring the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft by addressing the identified issue promptly and effectively. Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive may result in severe consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an AD can lead to civil penalties, including fines and potential legal action. Additionally, operating an aircraft that does not meet the specified airworthiness standards can result in criminal charges. The maximum penalties for breaches of airworthiness directives can include substantial fines and imprisonment. Specifically, the maximum penalty for contravening an AD can be up to $50,000 for individuals and $250,000 for corporations, with additional penalties for continuing offences. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the AD to ensure the safety and compliance of the aircraft operations.