AD/EMB-120/13 Amdt 1 - Wing Rib to Skin Fitting Angles

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, introduced Airworthiness Directives to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. One such directive, AD/EMB-120/13 Amendment 1, pertains to the Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes, addressing the issue of cracks found in the wing rib to skin fitting angles, also known as shear clips, in both the upper and lower wing skins. This amendment became effective on 20 July 1995 and was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in response to reports from the Brazilian Civil Aviation Authority (CTA) regarding these structural issues. The primary objective of this directive is to mandate compliance with the technical requirements of CTA AD 95-05-01R1 Amendment 39-746, ensuring that all Model EMB-120 aircraft meet the specified safety standards. The directive is enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia through its legislative instrument, F2006B09502, reflecting the Commonwealth's commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation. This amendment aims to rectify the identified structural concerns by enforcing specific corrective actions as outlined in the requirement document, thereby mitigating potential risks associated with these defects.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/EMB-120/13 Amendment 1, pertains to all aircraft within the Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) series. This legislative instrument is integral to ensuring the airworthiness of these specific aircraft by addressing structural issues identified in the wing rib to skin fitting angles. The directive applies uniformly to all operators of EMB-120 aircraft, mandating compliance with the technical requirements outlined in CTA AD 95-05-01R1 Amendment 39-746. Compliance with this directive is critical for maintaining the safety and operational integrity of the affected aircraft fleet. The directive became effective from 20 July 1995, and Amendment 1 was issued to incorporate further revisions to the requirement document, underscoring CASA's commitment to updating and enforcing safety standards in response to identified structural concerns.

Key Provisions

The Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive (AD/EMB-120/13 Amendment 1) primarily concerns the structural integrity of the wing rib to skin fitting angles, commonly referred to as shear clips (Section 1). This AD applies to all Model EMB-120 aircraft (Section 2). The directive mandates actions that comply with the technical requirements specified in CTA AD 95-05-01R1 Amendment 39-746 (Section 3). Compliance with the directive is to be achieved according to the specific requirements outlined in the referenced requirement document (Section 4). This directive came into effect on 20 July 1995, following reports of cracks in the wing rib to skin fitting angles in both the upper and lower wing skins (Section 5). Under this AD, the primary obligation for the parties governed by it is to ensure that the specified actions are taken to rectify the structural issues in the wing rib to skin fitting angles. This includes conducting inspections, repairs, or replacements as necessary to meet the technical standards set out in CTA AD 95-05-01R1 Amendment 39-746 (Section 3). Compliance must be achieved in accordance with the detailed instructions provided in the requirement document, ensuring that all necessary steps are followed to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft (Section 4). This process is crucial for preventing further incidents of cracking and ensuring the ongoing safety and compliance of the EMB-120 aircraft fleet. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can result in significant consequences. Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations stipulate that non-compliance can lead to various civil or criminal penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, it is known that CASA has the authority to enforce compliance through a range of measures, including fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges for serious breaches (Sections 6-8). The exact penalties would depend on the severity of the non-compliance and the specific circumstances of the case, but the potential for both financial and operational repercussions is significant. In summary, the AD/EMB-120/13 Amendment 1 is a critical directive aimed at ensuring the structural integrity of the wing rib to skin fitting angles in EMB-120 aircraft. It mandates specific actions to be taken in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in CTA AD 95-05-01R1 Amendment 39-746, with a compliance date of 20 July 1995. Non-compliance with this directive can result in serious civil or criminal penalties, highlighting the importance of adhering to the specified requirements to maintain airworthiness and safety standards.