COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) Series Aeroplanes
AD/EMB-110/15 Flap Actuators Ball Nut - Inspection 10/81 Applicability: All models EMB-110 equipped with linear actuators P/Nos. D2246-3 and D2246-4. Document: 1. Embraer Alert S.B. No. 110-27-A54, or
2. C.T.A. AD NR.81-07-01.
Compliance: At the next 250 hourly inspection of actuators carried out after 30 September 1981. Background: In addition to the repetitive 250 hourly inspection of actuators laid down in AD/EMB-
110/8B, a once only inspection of the ball return tube retaining clamp is now required. Loosening of a ball return tube may cause loss of the balls and result in an asymmetric flap condition.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serve to regulate the safety and operation of civil aviation within the country. Part 39, specifically pertaining to the Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) Series Aeroplanes, was introduced to address gaps in the existing aviation safety protocols, ensuring that all aircraft maintain stringent safety standards. The regulation aims to prevent potential safety issues by mandating specific inspections and maintenance procedures. One such regulation is AD/EMB-110/15, which focuses on the inspection of flap actuators ball nuts on Embraer EMB-110 aircraft. This directive addresses the problem of loosening ball return tubes that could lead to asymmetric flap conditions, thereby enhancing the overall safety of air travel.
The policy objective behind AD/EMB-110/15 is to ensure the continued airworthiness of Embraer EMB-110 aeroplanes by implementing a one-off inspection of the ball return tube retaining clamp in addition to the routine 250 hourly inspections of the actuators. This measure was introduced to mitigate risks associated with potential mechanical failures that could compromise flight safety. The regulation is clear in its applicability, targeting all models of EMB-110 equipped with specific linear actuator part numbers and mandating compliance at the next 250 hourly inspection following 30 September 1981.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the safety directives that apply to various aircraft, including the Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) series aeroplanes, as detailed in AD/EMB-110/15. This regulation applies to all models of the EMB-110 series equipped with specific linear actuators, namely P/Nos. D2246-3 and D2246-4. The primary focus of this directive is on the inspection of the flap actuators' ball nut, a critical component to ensure the safety and proper functioning of the aircraft. The requirement stems from Embraer Alert S.B. No. 110-27-A54 or C.T.A. AD NR.81-07-01, and mandates a comprehensive inspection of the ball return tube retaining clamp at the next 250-hourly inspection following 30 September 1981. This directive ensures that any loosening of the ball return tube, which could potentially cause a loss of balls and lead to an asymmetric flap condition, is identified and rectified to maintain airworthiness standards. The scope of this regulation is national, impacting all operators of the specified aircraft within Australia, thereby ensuring compliance with safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, establish the requirements for the airworthiness of Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) Series Aeroplanes, with particular attention to the flap actuators ball nut inspection. Section 10/81 of this regulation mandates that all models of the EMB-110 equipped with linear actuators P/Nos. D2246-3 and D2246-4 must undergo an inspection of the flap actuators ball nut (Section 10/81(1)). This inspection is required at the next 250 hourly inspection of the actuators, conducted after 30 September 1981 (Section 10/81(2)). The relevant documentation for compliance includes either Embraer Alert S.B. No. 110-27-A54 or C.T.A. AD NR.81-07-01 (Section 10/81(3)).
The obligations imposed on the parties or entities governed by these regulations are clear and precise. Aircraft operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the inspection of the flap actuators ball nut is performed at the specified intervals. This involves checking the condition of the ball return tube retaining clamp, as a loosening of this component may result in loss of the balls and subsequently lead to an asymmetric flap condition (Section 10/81(4)). The inspection must be carried out in accordance with the provided documentation, which outlines the detailed procedures and criteria for a compliant inspection (Section 10/81(3)).
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives outlined in Section 10/81 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in serious consequences. Non-compliance may lead to the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could result in grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections are completed and any necessary repairs are made (Section 10/81(5)). Additionally, any breaches of these regulations may be subject to penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which could include substantial fines or other enforcement actions. The maximum penalties for breaches of civil aviation regulations can be significant, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance (Section 10/81(6)).