AD/EXTRA/6 - Rudder Pedal Safety Control Stop

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, established by the Australian Government and administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. A specific focus within these regulations is the scheduling of airworthiness directives, such as AD/EXTRA/6, which addresses issues pertaining to the rudder pedal safety control stop for EA-300 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the problem of potential rudder pedal system failure due to rudder cable misalignment or elongation, which could lead to damage to the safety stop and subsequent inflight failures. The policy objective of this regulation is to mandate compliance with the Extra Flugzeugbau GmbH Service Bulletin to mitigate these risks and ensure continued safe operation of the affected aircraft. Compliance with AD/EXTRA/6 is mandatory, requiring action prior to further flight after the directive's effective date of 31 January 1996 and at subsequent specified intervals, thereby ensuring that the safety of the rudder pedal system is consistently maintained throughout the aircraft's operational life. This regulation underscores the importance of regular inspections and adherence to manufacturer guidelines to prevent in-flight incidents and ensure the overall safety of air travel.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 specifically addresses the safety of the rudder pedal system in Extra EA-300 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all EA-300 aeroplanes with serial numbers manufactured up until November 1995, EA-300/S aeroplanes with serial numbers 001 to 028, and EA-300/L aeroplanes with serial numbers 001 to 015, all of which are equipped with an electrically actuated rudder pedal adjustment mechanism. The directive mandates compliance with the safety control stop requirements as outlined in Extra Flugzeugbau GmbH SB-300-3-95, with reference to LBA AD 95-443. This action must be taken before further flight after the directive's effective date of 31 January 1996, and then at the next inspection for maintenance release issue or the 50 flight hour inspection, whichever occurs first, and subsequently at each installation of a new rudder cable. This regulatory requirement aims to prevent potential damage to the rudder pedal system due to misalignment or elongation of the rudder cables, which could lead to pedal overtravel, stop damage, and an inflight failure of the rudder pedal system.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, which include the AD/EXTRA/6 concerning the rudder pedal safety control stop for EA-300 Series Aeroplanes. This directive (section 1) mandates actions for certain Extra EA-300 aeroplanes, particularly those fitted with an electrically actuated rudder pedal adjustment mechanism manufactured up until November 1995, EA-300/S serial numbers 001 to 028, and EA-300/L serial numbers 001 to 015. The primary requirement is to adhere to the guidelines provided in Extra Flugzeugbau GmbH SB-300-3-95. The directive notes that LBA AD 95-443 is also relevant. Compliance with this directive (section 2) necessitates that actions be taken in accordance with the specified safety bulletin before further flight after the directive's effective date, which is 31 January 1996. Furthermore, compliance must be verified prior to further flight following the directive's effective date, and then at the next inspection for maintenance release issue or the 50 flight hour inspection, whichever comes first. Additionally, compliance must be checked at each installation of a new rudder cable. The rationale behind this directive is to ensure the safety stop fitted to protect the lower fitting of the brake system does not get reached during normal operation, thus preventing issues such as pedal overtravel, potential damage to the stop, overload of the rudder bearing, and subsequent inflight failures of the rudder pedal system. Entities and parties governed by this directive (section 3) have specific obligations. They must ensure that the required actions are performed as per the Extra Flugzeugbau GmbH SB-300-3-95 safety bulletin. This involves inspecting and, if necessary, modifying the rudder pedal adjustment mechanism to prevent issues related to misalignment or elongation of the rudder cables. Proper documentation of these inspections and any modifications must be maintained, and compliance must be verified by CASA inspectors or other authorised personnel. Breach of these obligations (section 4) can lead to serious consequences. The regulations do not explicitly state penalties in the provided text, but any failure to comply with airworthiness directives can result in significant legal and safety repercussions. These may include fines, grounding of the aircraft, and potential criminal charges for non-compliance, which can lead to prosecution. The severity of the penalties depends on the extent of the breach and the impact on aviation safety. Thus, adherence to the directives is not only a legal requirement but also a critical safety measure to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft.