COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Fuji FA-200 Series Aeroplanes
AD/FA-200/19
Amdt 2
Rudder Pedal System 11/89
Applicability: All models FA-200 with S/Nos. 12 to 297. Requirement: Action in accordance with FHI SB No. 200-002 Rev C.
Note: JCAB AD TCD-1455A-1-89 refers.
Compliance: Within 50 hours time in service after 3 December 1984 or prior to the first flight during which aerobatics are to be performed, whichever is earlier. Thereafter at:
- each inspection for Maintenance Release issue, or
b. periods not to exceed 1000 hours time in service if Technical Bulletin 200-22 is embodied.
Background: Overtravel of the rudder pedals and incorrect rudder control system operation has been experienced. Amendment 2 introduces a relieving modification to extend the inspection periodicity to 1000 hours.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, was enacted to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australian airspace. The legislation is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is intended to provide comprehensive guidelines and directives for maintaining the safety standards of aircraft. This legislative instrument addresses issues related to the airworthiness of Fuji FA-200 Series aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers 12 to 297, which have experienced problems with rudder pedal overtravel and incorrect rudder control system operation. The primary policy objective is to mitigate these safety risks by requiring adherence to specific maintenance and inspection protocols.
Amendment 2 to Airworthiness Directive AD/FA-200/19, issued on 11 August 1989, mandates actions in accordance with Fuji Heavy Industries Service Bulletin No. 200-002 Rev C, aimed at rectifying the identified safety issues. This amendment extends the inspection periodicity to 1000 hours of time in service, provided that Technical Bulletin 200-22 is incorporated. Compliance with these directives is essential either within 50 hours of time in service following 3 December 1984 or before the first flight involving aerobatics, whichever comes sooner. Subsequent compliance is required at each inspection for maintenance release issuance. This legislative action underscores the commitment to enhancing aviation safety through precise and timely regulatory measures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, apply to all models of Fuji FA-200 Series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 12 to 297. This legislation mandates adherence to Airworthiness Directives designed to ensure the safe operation of these aircraft by addressing identified issues with the rudder pedal system. Compliance with the requirements outlined in FHI Service Bulletin No. 200-002 Revision C is necessary, and these directives are to be followed within 50 hours of time in service after 3 December 1984 or before the first flight involving aerobatics, whichever occurs first. Subsequently, inspections must comply with these regulations at each maintenance release issue or at intervals not exceeding 1000 hours of time in service, provided the Technical Bulletin 200-22 is implemented. This regulatory framework aims to mitigate risks associated with overtravel of the rudder pedals and incorrect rudder control system operations, ensuring continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertaining to the Fuji FA-200 Series Aeroplanes, identified as AD/FA-200/19 Amendment 2 (1). This AD is applicable to all models FA-200 with serial numbers (S/Nos.) 12 to 297 (2). The directive mandates actions in accordance with Fuji Heavy Industries Service Bulletin (FHI SB) No. 200-002 Revision C (3). It is noteworthy that this AD also references Japan Civil Aviation Bureau AD TCD-1455A-1-89 (4). Compliance with this directive is required within 50 hours of time in service after 3 December 1984, or prior to the first flight where aerobatics are to be performed, whichever is earlier (5). After the initial compliance, the action must be taken at each inspection for maintenance release issuance, or at intervals not exceeding 1000 hours of time in service if Technical Bulletin 200-22 is incorporated (6).
The AD imposes clear obligations on the operators and maintainers of the Fuji FA-200 Series Aeroplanes. Operators must ensure that the rudder pedal system modifications outlined in FHI SB No. 200-002 Rev C are implemented within the specified timeframes (7). This involves conducting the necessary checks and modifications to prevent overtravel of the rudder pedals and ensure proper operation of the rudder control system (8). Additionally, if Technical Bulletin 200-22 is included in the maintenance process, operators must adhere to the extended inspection periodicity of up to 1000 hours (9). Compliance with these requirements is critical for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can result in significant legal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive may lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (10). CASA has the authority to issue directions to rectify non-compliance and may impose penalties, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft (11). The severity of the penalties can vary based on the extent of the non-compliance and any resultant safety risks. In cases of serious non-compliance, CASA can also pursue criminal charges, which may result in substantial fines and imprisonment (12). It is therefore imperative for operators and maintainers to strictly adhere to the requirements of the AD to avoid these potential legal repercussions.