AD/EMB-110/20 Amdt 1 - Primary Flight Control Cables

Overview

The Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2006 was enacted in 2006 under the authority of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address the problem of excessive wear and broken wires in primary flight control cables of the EMB-110 series aircraft. This legislative instrument aims to ensure the ongoing airworthiness and safety of the EMB-110 series aeroplanes by implementing stringent inspection and maintenance protocols as outlined in the Embraer Service Bulletin 110-27-064 Rev 2. The policy objective is to mitigate the risk of in-flight control failures due to cable degradation, thereby enhancing the safety and reliability of these aircraft in commercial and private aviation operations. This AD mandates that all EMB-110 aircraft undergo inspections of their primary flight control cables within 50 hours of time in service after 3 January 1983 and at intervals not exceeding 1200 hours thereafter. This requirement is aligned with the Brazilian Airworthiness Directive 82-09-08 R2, ensuring consistency with international safety standards. The directive is designed to preempt potential failures by requiring regular maintenance actions that address the identified issues with the aircraft's control cables, thus safeguarding the integrity of flight operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the maintenance and safety standards for aircraft operating within Australian airspace. This legislation applies to all model EMB-110 aircraft, mandating actions in accordance with the Embraer Service Bulletin 110-27-064 Rev 2, which addresses issues of excessive wear and broken wires in primary flight control cables. Compliance with these directives is required within 50 hours of time in service after 3 January 1983 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 1200 hours of time in service. The regulation also references Brazilian AD 82-09-08 R2, indicating a cross-jurisdictional approach to ensuring safety standards for this aircraft model. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, applying to all EMB-110 aircraft operating under Australian jurisdiction, and any non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions by CASA. This legislative instrument extends its application through subordinate instruments, ensuring ongoing safety and compliance through updates and amendments as necessary.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, mandates specific airworthiness directives for certain aircraft types, including the Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) series aeroplanes. Section AD/EMB-110/20 Amendment 1 specifically addresses primary flight control cables, as outlined in Embraer Service Bulletin 110-27-064 Rev 2. This directive applies to all EMB-110 aircraft and references a Brazilian AD 82-09-08 R2 for further context. The primary requirement is that action must be taken in line with the specified service bulletin. Compliance with these directives is mandatory within 50 hours of time in service after 3 January 1983, and then at intervals not exceeding 1200 hours of time in service thereafter. The obligations imposed by this legislation on the parties governed, such as aircraft operators and maintenance personnel, are clear and specific. They must ensure that the primary flight control cables on EMB-110 aircraft are inspected and maintained in accordance with the Embraer Service Bulletin 110-27-064 Rev 2. This includes conducting these inspections within the stipulated timeframes and adhering to the prescribed intervals for ongoing maintenance. The aim is to prevent cases of excessive wear and broken wires, which could compromise the safety of the aircraft. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in serious safety hazards, potentially leading to accidents. Under these regulations, there are significant consequences for non-compliance. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce these directives rigorously. If an operator or maintenance personnel fail to adhere to the airworthiness directives, they could face severe penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, it is understood that breaches of such safety directives can lead to both civil and criminal consequences. These might include fines, suspension of operations, and even criminal charges if the non-compliance results in accidents or endangers public safety. The overarching objective of these provisions is to ensure the highest standards of aviation safety are maintained across all regulated entities.