COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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.
Reims Aviation F406 Series Aeroplanes
AD/F406/7 Nose Landing Gear Actuator Attach Structure 11/2001
DM
Applicability: Model F406 aircraft, serial numbers F406-0001 through F406-0089. Requirement: Inspect in accordance with Reims Aviation Service Bulletin CAB 00-10, dated 21
August 2000.
If cracks are found, before further flight, install Service Kit SKRA406-010.
Note: DGAC AD 2000-379(A) refers.
Compliance: For aircraft that have accumulated more than 7,000 hours total time in service or 5,000 total landings, accomplish before further flight after 3 October 2001 unless the initial inspection is already accomplished. If no cracks are found, re-inspect at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service until installation of Service Kit SKRA406-010.
For aircraft that have accumulated less than 5,000 total landings, accomplish within 200 hours time in service or 12 months after 26 September 2001, whichever occurs first. Thereafter inspect at intervals not to exceed 200 hours time in service or 12 months, whichever occurs first, until installation of Service Kit SKRA406-010.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 26 September 2001.
Background: Reports were received of fatigue cracking in the nose landing gear actuator attach structure. The cracking was found on aircraft with more than 7,000 hours of operation or 5,000 landings.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 19 September 20001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 September 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, addresses safety issues within civil aviation through the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (AD). Enacted by the Australian Government, the regulations were designed to ensure the safe operation of aircraft and aeronautical products by providing comprehensive safety standards and directives. This particular Airworthiness Directive, AD/F406/7, was issued to address the problem of fatigue cracking in the nose landing gear actuator attach structure of Reims Aviation F406 Series Aeroplanes. The AD mandates specific inspections and corrective actions to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft. It was issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and became effective on 26 September 2001, aiming to mitigate the risk of in-flight structural failure due to the identified fatigue issues.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the broader legislative framework of the Commonwealth of Australia, govern the operation of civil aviation within the country, including the issuance of Airworthiness Directives by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This particular Airworthiness Directive applies specifically to Reims Aviation F406 Series Aeroplanes, encompassing aircraft with serial numbers ranging from F406-0001 to F406-0089. The directive mandates a specific inspection protocol to address the identified issue of fatigue cracking in the nose landing gear actuator attach structure. The requirement stipulates that the inspection be conducted in accordance with Reims Aviation Service Bulletin CAB 00-10, dated 21 August 2000. If cracks are detected, the installation of Service Kit SKRA406-010 is mandatory before further flight. The compliance timeline varies depending on the aircraft's accumulated flight hours and landings, with specific deadlines outlined for aircraft that have surpassed certain operational thresholds. This AD becomes effective from 26 September 2001 and applies to aircraft within the specified serial number range, ensuring the maintenance of airworthiness standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly PART 39 - 105, detail the procedures and requirements for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft through Airworthiness Directives (ADs). The AD in question, AD/F406/7, pertains specifically to the Reims Aviation F406 Series Aeroplanes, covering aircraft with serial numbers from F406-0001 to F406-0089. According to the applicability section, this directive mandates inspections and potential repairs to the nose landing gear actuator attach structure (section 11/2001 DM). The requirement section stipulates that these inspections should be conducted in accordance with Reims Aviation Service Bulletin CAB 00-10 dated 21 August 2000. If any cracks are detected during the inspection, a Service Kit SKRA406-010 must be installed before further flight.
The obligations under this AD require aircraft operators to adhere to the specified inspection and repair protocols. For aircraft that have accumulated more than 7,000 hours of total time in service or 5,000 total landings, the initial inspection must be completed before further flight after 3 October 2001, unless it has already been performed. If no cracks are found, a subsequent inspection must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the installation of the Service Kit SKRA406-010. For aircraft with fewer than 5,000 total landings, the inspection must occur within 200 hours of time in service or within 12 months after 26 September 2001, whichever comes first. After this initial inspection, further inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service or 12 months, whichever is sooner, until the Service Kit is installed.
Failure to comply with the AD can result in serious safety implications. While the specific civil or criminal consequences for non-compliance are not detailed in the AD itself, non-compliance with ADs can lead to severe penalties under other sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. For example, the general provisions for non-compliance with airworthiness requirements may include fines or imprisonment. The exact penalties would depend on the specific circumstances of the non-compliance and any additional legislative provisions that may apply.