AD/EMB-120/22 - Wing and Empennage Leading Edge

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, establish comprehensive safety standards for civil aviation operations within the country. Among these regulations, Part 39 focuses on the airworthiness directives essential for ensuring the safety of aircraft. Specifically, AD/EMB-120/22 addresses the inspection requirements for the Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes, aiming to mitigate risks associated with delaminations in the wing and empennage leading edges. This directive was introduced to address a reported issue of delaminations in the wing leading edge, prompting a need for regular inspections to ensure the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring that any identified issues are promptly addressed, thereby reducing the likelihood of in-flight incidents. This legislative instrument was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, reflecting the regulatory body's commitment to maintaining stringent safety standards. The directive mandates that all models of EMB-120 aircraft must undergo a visual inspection according to Embraer Alert Service Bulletin 120-51-A004, within 75 hours of time in service after 1 January 1998. This requirement underscores the importance of proactive maintenance and inspection protocols in preventing potential safety hazards. The directive became effective on 1 January 1998, aligning with the urgency to address the identified safety concerns in the specified aircraft series.

Scope and Application

The Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertains specifically to all models of EMB-120 aircraft. The directive mandates that inspections of the wing and empennage leading edges must be conducted in accordance with Embraer Alert Service Bulletin 120-51-A004, with the directive becoming effective from 1 January 1998. This requirement must be fulfilled unless the inspection has already been completed, within 75 hours of the aircraft being in service after 1 January 1998. The directive aims to address reported occurrences of delaminations in the wing leading edge top layer, specifically behind the ice boot upper edge, by necessitating a visual inspection to check for erosion, delamination, and the condition of sealing and anti-static paint. This regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia and is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority as part of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, includes an airworthiness directive (AD) pertaining to the Embraer EMB-120 series aeroplanes, specifically AD/EMB-120/22 (section 1). This directive mandates an inspection of the wing and empennage leading edge of all EMB-120 aircraft models. The inspection must be carried out in accordance with Embraer Alert Service Bulletin 120-51-A004 and references CTA AD 97-09-07 Amendment 39-802 (section 2). This directive applies to all EMB-120 aircraft models and requires a visual inspection for any signs of erosion, delamination, and the condition of the sealing and anti-static paint on the leading edge of the wings and empennage. Compliance with this directive must occur unless the inspection has already been completed, and it must be completed within 75 hours of time in service after 1 January 1998. The directive came into effect on 1 January 1998. The Embraer EMB-120 airworthiness directive imposes specific obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel. Primarily, it requires that the inspection of the wing and empennage leading edge be conducted as per the specifications laid out in Embraer Alert Service Bulletin 120-51-A004. This inspection should be thorough, focusing on the condition of the top layer, particularly behind the ice boot upper edge, and must check for any delaminations, erosion, or degradation in the sealing and anti-static paint. The directive stipulates that the inspection must be completed within 75 hours of time in service after the directive's effective date, 1 January 1998, unless it has already been performed. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive AD/EMB-120/22 may lead to various civil and potentially criminal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the directive, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally results in significant regulatory scrutiny and enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The consequences can include fines, grounding of the aircraft, and potential legal actions against the operators or maintenance personnel responsible for the non-compliance. In severe cases, where non-compliance is found to contribute to an accident or incident, it may also result in criminal charges against individuals involved. The airworthiness directive AD/EMB-120/22 was issued following a reported occurrence of delaminations in the wing leading edge top layer, immediately behind the ice boot upper edge. The directive is a proactive measure to ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of the EMB-120 series aeroplanes by requiring regular inspections to detect and address any issues before they can lead to more serious problems. The directive's background underscores the importance of adhering to the specified inspection requirements to prevent potential safety hazards, ensuring the continued safe operation of these aircraft.