AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes
AD/EMB-120/35 Main Wheel Hubcap 4/2003
Applicability: EMB - 120( ) aircraft, serial numbers 120003, 120004 and 120006 through 120359 inclusive.
Requirement: 1. Carry out an inspection of the main wheel hubcap anti-skid drive coupling clips in accordance with paragraphs 2.1.1 through 2.1.5 of Embraer EMB - 120 Service Bulletin (SB) No. 120-32-0088.
2. Adjust the clip “G” gap as required to achieve the desired dimension as shown in figure 1 of Embraer EMB -120 SB No. 120-32-0088.
3. Where the clip cannot be adjusted as per Requirement 2, replace the clip with REV D clips in accordance with Part III of Embraer EMB -120 SB No. 120-32- 0088.
4. Replace pre-REV D clips hubs with REV D or later revision clips in accordance with Part III of Embraer EMB -120 SB No. 120-32-0088.
5. Amend the main wheel change procedure to include an inspection of the main wheel anti-skid drive coupling clip in accordance with Requirements 1 and 2 of this directive.
Note: DAC (Brazil) AD 2003-01-01 Amendment 39-977 refers.
Compliance: 1. Within 400 flight hours or 6 months from the effective date of this directive, whichever comes first.
2. Within 400 flight hours or 6 months from the effective date of this directive, whichever comes first.
3. Prior to returning the main wheel hubcap to service.
4. Within 800 flight hours or 12 months from the effective date of this directive, whichever comes first.
5. No later than 25 May 2003.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 17 April 2003.
Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes
AD/EMB-120/35 (continued)
Background: This directive is in response to braking failures at low speeds (below 25 knots). The failure of the braking system is attributed to the failure of the mainwheel hub clips not driving the anti-skid transducer.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 10 March 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 March 2003.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 targets specific Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes, namely those with serial numbers ranging from 120003 to 120359 inclusive. This directive, identified as AD/EMB-120/35, was introduced to address braking failures at low speeds, a condition identified as unsafe due to the failure of the main wheel hub clips in driving the anti-skid transducer. The directive was enacted to correct this unsafe condition and improve the airworthiness of the specified aircraft. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued this AD to mandate corrective actions that include the inspection, adjustment, or replacement of specific components within the main wheel hubcap, as well as an amendment to the main wheel change procedure. This AD became effective on 17 April 2003, with compliance required within specific timeframes post its enactment.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/EMB-120/35 applies specifically to Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 120003 to 120006 and from 120006 to 120359 inclusive. This legislation mandates specific actions to be taken concerning the main wheel hubcap of these aircraft to address an identified unsafe condition that could lead to braking failures at low speeds. The directive outlines requirements for inspecting, adjusting, and replacing parts of the main wheel hubcap to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. The compliance period for these actions is set at various intervals based on flight hours or calendar months, beginning from the effective date of the directive, which is 17 April 2003. This AD is issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 by the delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, highlighting its jurisdictional reach within the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes with specific serial numbers. The main requirement of this AD is to inspect and adjust or replace the main wheel hubcap anti-skid drive coupling clips in accordance with the Embraer EMB-120 Service Bulletin No. 120-32-0088 (sections 2.1.1 to 2.1.5). Specifically, the clip “G” gap must be adjusted to achieve the desired dimension (Requirement 2). If the clip cannot be adjusted, it must be replaced with REV D clips (Requirement 3). Furthermore, pre-REV D clips must be replaced with REV D or later revision clips (Requirement 4). Lastly, the main wheel change procedure must be amended to include an inspection of the main wheel anti-skid drive coupling clip (Requirement 5). These actions must be completed within specified timeframes: within 400 flight hours or 6 months from the effective date of this directive, whichever comes first for Requirements 1, 2, and 3; within 800 flight hours or 12 months from the effective date for Requirement 4; and no later than 25 May 2003 for Requirement 5.
The AD imposes several obligations on the operators of the Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes. Firstly, operators must ensure that the inspections and adjustments or replacements of the anti-skid drive coupling clips are carried out as per the requirements specified in the Embraer Service Bulletin No. 120-32-0088. This involves a thorough inspection process to identify any clips that need adjustment or replacement. Secondly, operators must amend their main wheel change procedures to include the inspection of the main wheel anti-skid drive coupling clips. This procedural amendment ensures that the safety checks are integrated into routine maintenance activities. Thirdly, operators must keep records of the inspections, adjustments, replacements, and procedural amendments to demonstrate compliance with the AD.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive may result in significant legal and safety consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD, non-compliance with ADs issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can lead to severe penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. These can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the non-compliance and its impact on aviation safety. Additionally, non-compliance can result in the grounding of the aircraft, which can have substantial operational and financial implications for the operator. The AD aims to ensure that the specified safety measures are implemented to prevent braking failures at low speeds, thereby enhancing the overall safety of the Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes.