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-200/20 Fuselage Rear Bulkhead - Inspection 2/83
Applicability: All models with S/Nos. up to and including S/N 296. Document: Fuji Service Bulletin No. FAS 200-003.
Compliance: Within the next 100 hours time in service and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service, until modified in accordance with SB FAS 200-003.
Background: Cracks have been found in the upper corners of the fuselage bulkhead at F.S. 7105, near the horizontal stabiliser main spar attachment.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 to enhance the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This legislative instrument, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses safety directives for aircraft, including the Fuji FA-200 Series Aeroplanes. The aim is to mitigate risks by issuing specific directives, such as the one for the fuselage rear bulkhead inspection (AD/FA-200/20), which was introduced to respond to identified structural integrity issues. The policy objective is to ensure that all civil aircraft meet the required safety standards, thus protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the aviation system.
The Civil Aviation (Safety) Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, mandate regular inspections and compliance with specific service bulletins to address safety concerns. In this instance, the directive for the Fuji FA-200 Series Aeroplanes requires inspections of the fuselage rear bulkhead for cracks near the horizontal stabiliser main spar attachment. The directive mandates inspections within the next 100 hours of time in service and at intervals not exceeding 100 hours thereafter, until modifications as per Fuji Service Bulletin No. FAS 200-003 are implemented. This approach ensures that any potential structural weaknesses are identified and rectified promptly, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Fuji FA-200 series aeroplanes with serial numbers up to and including 296. This legislation mandates inspections of the fuselage rear bulkhead to ensure airworthiness and safety. The inspections must be performed within the next 100 hours of time in service and then at intervals not exceeding 100 hours until the modifications specified in Fuji Service Bulletin No. FAS 200-003 are implemented. The regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring compliance across the Commonwealth of Australia. Any aeroplanes failing to adhere to these directives may not be deemed airworthy, thus affecting their operational status. There are no exclusions or exemptions specified within the directive itself, though the applicability of subordinate instruments may introduce further conditions or limitations.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) that pertains to Fuji FA-200 Series Aeroplanes. AD/FA-200/20 (paragraph 2/83) mandates that all Fuji FA-200 aeroplanes with serial numbers up to and including S/N 296 undergo an inspection of the fuselage rear bulkhead. This inspection is required within the next 100 hours of time in service and must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the modifications specified in Fuji Service Bulletin No. FAS 200-003 are implemented. The directive is grounded in the discovery of cracks in the upper corners of the fuselage bulkhead, particularly at F.S. 7105, which is near the horizontal stabiliser main spar attachment.
The obligations imposed by this Airworthiness Directive require the operators of the Fuji FA-200 aeroplanes to ensure that the specified inspections are performed by qualified personnel. Operators must maintain records of all inspections and modifications conducted in accordance with the directive. Additionally, the regulations require that any discovered issues must be addressed promptly to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Operators must ensure that the modifications outlined in Fuji Service Bulletin No. FAS 200-003 are carried out by authorised personnel and that the aircraft is not operated until the required modifications are completed and approved.
Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The potential penalties for non-compliance may include fines and other sanctions. The severity of the penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but they can be significant. In cases where non-compliance results in an unsafe condition, it may also lead to more severe criminal charges, potentially resulting in imprisonment. It is essential for operators to adhere to these regulations to avoid such penalties and ensure the safety of their operations.