COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Airparts (NZ) Ltd. FU 24 Series Aeroplanes
AD/FU24/36 Fuselage Structure - Modification 1/71
Applicability: All models fitted with Fibreglass Hopper P/N 249368. Document: Air Parts SL No. 4.
Compliance: Forthwith.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, are a comprehensive set of rules designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. A specific legislative instrument, F2006B09983, addresses a particular issue related to the airworthiness of certain aeroplanes, namely the FU 24 Series Aeroplanes manufactured by Airparts (NZ) Ltd. This regulation was introduced to address a gap in ensuring the structural integrity of aeroplanes fitted with specific fibreglass components, specifically those with Hopper P/N 249368. The policy objective behind this directive is to maintain the highest safety standards by mandating immediate compliance with specified modifications to the fuselage structure. The enactment of this regulation by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 is intended to mitigate risks associated with the identified structural deficiencies, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) administers the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which encompasses various provisions for the safety and operation of aircraft within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations details the Airworthiness Directives, which are legally enforceable requirements for maintaining airworthiness standards. Airworthiness Directive AD/FU24/36 applies to all FU 24 Series aeroplanes manufactured by Airparts (NZ) Ltd. and fitted with Fibreglass Hopper P/N 249368. This directive mandates a modification to the fuselage structure to ensure compliance with safety standards. The directive applies forthwith, meaning that the required modifications must be implemented immediately. The scope of this directive is limited to the specified models of the FU 24 Series aeroplanes and does not extend to other aircraft types or manufacturers. Subordinate instruments may further elaborate on the specific technical details and compliance procedures for the mandated modifications.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for aircraft. Within this framework, AD/FU24/36 pertains to FU 24 Series Aeroplanes manufactured by Airparts (NZ) Ltd. This directive is focused on the modification of the fuselage structure (section 1/71). The applicability of this directive is explicitly stated to be for all models of FU 24 Series Aeroplanes that are fitted with the Fibreglass Hopper part number 249368. Compliance with this directive is mandated to be immediate, as denoted by the term "forthwith."
In accordance with AD/FU24/36, operators and owners of FU 24 Series Aeroplanes must ensure that the specified fuselage modification is conducted without delay. The directive references Air Parts SL No. 4, which is likely a supplementary document that provides detailed instructions or specifications for the required modifications. Operators must ensure that these modifications are completed by qualified personnel and that the aircraft is inspected and certified as airworthy post-modification. This requirement ensures that the structural integrity of the aircraft is maintained in compliance with safety standards set by CASA.
Failure to comply with AD/FU24/36 can result in serious legal consequences. Under section 307 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, CASA has the authority to enforce compliance with airworthiness directives. Non-compliance could lead to the grounding of the affected aircraft, which would prevent it from operating until the necessary modifications are made. Additionally, operators found in breach of these directives may face substantial fines, with the maximum penalty being significant depending on the severity of the violation. Civil or criminal penalties may also be imposed, depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance. Therefore, it is imperative for operators to adhere strictly to the requirements set out in AD/FU24/36 to avoid any legal repercussions and to ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of their aircraft.