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-110/44
Amdt 3
Elevator Trim Actuator Support 5/93
Applicability: Model EMB-110 series aircraft.
Requirement: 1. Action IAW the Technical Requirements of Brazilian AD T91-07-02.
The trim actuator shall be removed to facilitate this inspection.
2. Install a P/N 110-3210-25 actuator support fitting.
Note 1: Cracks have also been found in the elevator spar adjacent to the mounting attachment holes, and in the lugs of the elevator trim tab support bracket.
Note 2: CTA AD 93-02-01 and Embraer ASB 110-027-A090 refer.
Compliance: 1. Within 300 hours time in service after the last compliance with the previous issue of this Directive, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 hours time in service; until compliance with Requirement 2.
2. Unless already accomplished, within 1200 hours TIS after 29 April 1993.
Background: As the result of an in-flight flutter incident in Australia, checks were instituted and a number of aircraft were found to have significant damage. In-flight failure could lead to loss of the aircraft. Amendment 1 was issued to reflect the requirements of the Country of Origin AD which had been issued in response to cracking around the actuator support. Amendment 2 was issued following a review of the calendar time compliance requirement. Calendar time was not considered to be relevant to crack growth in this instance, and the Directive is therefore amended. Amendment 3 is issued in response to a new Brazil CTA AD which requires installation of an improved support fitting and thereby constitutes terminating action of the ongoing repetitive inspections.
Overview
The Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive, part of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, was enacted to address the issue of potential in-flight failures due to cracking in the elevator trim actuator and its associated components. This legislative instrument was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to ensure the safety of aircraft by mandating regular inspections and necessary modifications to the affected parts of the EMB-110 series aircraft. The policy objective was to mitigate the risk of in-flight failure which could lead to the loss of the aircraft, thereby protecting the safety of passengers and crew. The directive requires compliance with specific technical requirements set by Brazilian AD T91-07-02 and mandates the installation of a new actuator support fitting as a response to identified structural weaknesses.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, govern the safety directives applicable to various aircraft models, including the Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) series aeroplanes. This particular legislative instrument pertains to the Embraer EMB-110 series aircraft, mandating compliance with specific airworthiness directives to ensure the safety and integrity of the aircraft in service. The regulation applies to all EMB-110 series aircraft, necessitating the removal of the trim actuator to facilitate inspection and the installation of a specified actuator support fitting. This requirement is derived from the Technical Requirements of the Brazilian AD T91-07-02, underscoring the international cooperation in maintaining aviation safety standards. The directive outlines strict compliance timelines, mandating inspections within 300 hours of time in service after the last compliance with previous directives and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 300 hours until the specified fitting is installed. Additionally, there is a compliance requirement to be met within 1200 hours time in service after a specified date, ensuring that the aircraft remain airworthy through regular inspections and necessary modifications. This regulation does not explicitly mention geographic or jurisdictional limitations beyond the application to EMB-110 series aircraft, implying a national scope within Australia's jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) Series Aeroplanes AD/EMB-110/44 Amendment 3 primarily concerns the elevator trim actuator support, requiring specific actions to be taken to ensure the airworthiness of the aircraft. According to section 1, the trim actuator must be removed to facilitate the inspection. Furthermore, section 2 mandates the installation of a P/N 110-3210-25 actuator support fitting. The directive also notes that cracks have been found in the elevator spar adjacent to the mounting attachment holes and in the lugs of the elevator trim tab support bracket. These provisions are in line with the Technical Requirements of Brazilian AD T91-07-02 and reference CTA AD 93-02-01 and Embraer ASB 110-027-A090.
Under this legislation, operators of EMB-110 series aircraft are obligated to comply with the specified actions within the given timeframes. As per section 1 of the directive, the inspection and removal of the trim actuator must occur within 300 hours of time in service after the last compliance with the previous issue of this Directive, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 300 hours time in service until compliance with section 2 is achieved. Section 2 requires the installation of the specified actuator support fitting unless it has already been accomplished, within 1200 hours of time in service after 29 April 1993. It is crucial for the operators to adhere to these obligations to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in this legislation may result in severe consequences. While specific penalties are not mentioned in the directive, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to serious safety issues, potentially resulting in the loss of the aircraft. Furthermore, operators may face regulatory action, including fines, enforcement actions, or even the suspension or revocation of their operating certificates by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The potential for in-flight failure and loss of control underscores the importance of adhering to these requirements.