AD/EMB-120/26 - Wing-to-Fuselage Fittings

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve as the primary legislation governing civil aviation safety and operations in Australia. One specific aspect of this legislation is the regulation of airworthiness directives, which ensure that aircraft maintain a safe standard of operation. The Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes AD/EMB-120/26 addresses a specific safety issue identified with the wing-to-fuselage fittings in the Brasilia series aircraft. This directive was introduced to address the problem of cracks in the fuselage attachment area of the wing-to-fuselage fittings, which had been reported on two aircraft. The policy objective of this airworthiness directive is to mandate a detailed visual inspection and subsequent evaluation to ensure the continued safe operation of these aircraft. The Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes AD/EMB-120/26 became effective on 25 March 1999, requiring all Model EMB-120 aircraft that have accumulated more than 4,000 flight cycles to undergo a visual inspection as per Embraer Service Bulletin 120-57-0034 Revision 1. The results of this inspection must be forwarded to Embraer, and compliance is required unless the inspection has already been performed. This directive is crucial in mitigating potential risks associated with the identified structural issue, ensuring that the Brasilia fleet remains airworthy and safe for operation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Airworthiness Directive AD/EMB-120/26, applicable to all Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes that have exceeded 4,000 flight cycles, mandates a thorough visual inspection of the wing-to-fuselage fittings. This requirement is in response to reports of cracks in the fuselage attachment area of these fittings, as highlighted in Embraer Service Bulletin 120-57-0034 Revision 1, with the directive becoming effective on 25 March 1999. Operators must ensure the inspection is completed within 400 flight cycles following this date, or if the aircraft has already surpassed this flight cycle threshold, within 400 flight cycles after 25 March 1999. The results of this inspection must be communicated to Embraer, and the directive is in conjunction with CTA AD 1999-01-01 Amendment 39-845. This directive applies nationally and is enforced under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which are applicable throughout Australia and governed by the Commonwealth of Australia.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, contain critical provisions for the maintenance and safety of Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes. One such provision, AD/EMB-120/26, mandates a detailed visual inspection of wing-to-fuselage fittings for all Model EMB-120 aircraft that have accumulated more than 4,000 flight cycles (section 39-105(1)). This inspection must be conducted in accordance with Embraer Service Bulletin 120-57-0034 Revision 1, and the results must be communicated to Embraer (section 39-105(2)). The directive references CTA AD 1999-01-01 Amdt 39-845 for additional context (section 39-105(3)). The Civil Aviation Regulations impose several obligations on the parties involved. Operators of Model EMB-120 aircraft must ensure that the required inspection is performed unless it has already been completed (section 39-105(4)). Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with the inspection to be undertaken within 400 flight cycles following 25 March 1999, the date the directive became effective (section 39-105(5)). Failure to adhere to these requirements could result in significant safety risks for the aircraft. Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in AD/EMB-120/26 may lead to severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 establish penalties and consequences for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument, breaches of civil aviation regulations can typically result in substantial fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of non-compliant aircraft. In severe cases, there could be criminal charges, including imprisonment, for those responsible for the oversight or failure to comply with these critical safety requirements.