AD/EMB-110/14 - Vertical Stabiliser, Rudder Central Hinge Fitting - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) aimed at addressing safety issues related to the Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) series aeroplanes. Enacted to fill a safety gap, this legislation mandates modifications to the vertical stabiliser and rudder central hinge fitting to prevent corrosion caused by water accumulation. The directive is applicable to all EMB-110 models with serial numbers ranging from 110001 to 110141, 110143 to 110146, 110148, and 110149. The policy objective, as communicated by the manufacturer, is to ensure the integrity of the rudder central hinge fitting through specific modifications outlined in Embraer Service Bulletin No. 110-55-009, which must be completed within 250 hours of time in service post 30 September 1981 to ensure compliance and maintain airworthiness standards. This directive was introduced by the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This regulation applies to all Embraer EMB-110 aircraft with specific serial numbers, namely those ranging from 110001 to 110141, 110143 to 110146, 110148, and 110149. The directive mandates compliance with Embraer Service Bulletin No. 110-55-009, which addresses modifications to the vertical stabiliser and rudder central hinge fitting to mitigate the risk of corrosion due to water accumulation. The requirement must be fulfilled within 250 hours of time in service after 30 September 1981, ensuring that the affected aircraft meet the specified safety standards. The regulation is issued under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia and applies nationally, encompassing all relevant aircraft within the defined serial number range.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39, specifically Section 105, pertains to the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which include specific requirements for certain types of aircraft. In this instance, the focus is on the Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) series aeroplanes. The directive AD/EMB-110/14 targets a modification to the vertical stabiliser, rudder central hinge fitting (Section 105). This directive applies to all models of the EMB-110 series with specific serial numbers, namely from 110001 to 110141, 110143 to 110146, 110148, and 110149. The requirement set forth in this directive is that Embraer Service Bulletin No. 110-55-009 must be implemented. The compliance deadline is set within 250 hours of time in service following 30 September 1981. The Embraer EMB-110 series aeroplanes are subject to stringent regulatory requirements aimed at ensuring their airworthiness. Specifically, the directive mandates that modifications to the vertical stabiliser, rudder central hinge fitting, must be made in accordance with Embraer's Service Bulletin No. 110-55-009. This requirement is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of the aircraft, particularly in preventing water from collecting in the rudder central hinge fitting and causing corrosion. Operators and owners of the specified aircraft models must ensure that these modifications are completed within the stipulated timeframe to comply with the regulations. Entities and individuals governed by this directive are obligated to adhere to the specific requirements outlined. This includes ensuring that the aircraft meet the technical specifications as per Embraer Service Bulletin No. 110-55-009. Operators must conduct a thorough review of the aircraft’s maintenance logs to confirm that the modifications have been performed within the 250-hour time limit after 30 September 1981. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to significant consequences, including the potential grounding of the aircraft until the necessary modifications are verified as completed. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in the AD/EMB-110/14 directive can result in severe penalties and consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose strict enforcement of these directives to ensure safety in aviation. Non-compliance may lead to civil penalties, such as fines, or even criminal charges if the breach is deemed to have caused significant harm or posed a serious risk to aviation safety. The maximum penalties can vary, but they are intended to be stringent enough to ensure adherence to the safety mandates. The enforcement of these regulations underscores the importance of maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft to protect the safety of all persons involved in air travel.