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/FU24/43 Installation of Crash Axes 9/71
Applicability: All models.
Requirement: 1. Aircraft engaged in agricultural operations - Install a crash axe on the left hand inner side of the cockpit immediately below the canopy opening.
2. Aircraft fitted out for passenger carrying in the fuselage - Install a crash axe on the left hand inner side of the cockpit immediately below the canopy opening, and another on the inside surface of the cargo door.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 September 1971.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. One particular legislative instrument, F2006B09990, was introduced to address safety concerns specific to the FU 24 Series Aeroplanes manufactured by Airparts (NZ) Ltd. This regulation, AD/FU24/43, focuses on the installation of crash axes to enhance emergency egress in the event of an accident. The policy objective is to improve survivability by ensuring that pilots and passengers have readily accessible tools to escape from the aircraft. This safety directive applies to all models of the FU 24 Series Aeroplanes, requiring the installation of crash axes in specified locations based on the aircraft’s operational use, whether for agricultural purposes or passenger transport. Compliance with these directives must be achieved within 100 hours of the aircraft being in service after 30 September 1971.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the application of airworthiness directives by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. These regulations govern the safety standards for air operations within Australia, including the installation of crash axes on specified aircraft models. The directive AD/FU24/43 applies to all models of FU 24 Series Aeroplanes manufactured by Airparts (NZ) Ltd., imposing specific requirements for the installation of crash axes to enhance safety during agricultural operations and passenger transport. For aircraft engaged in agricultural activities, a crash axe must be installed on the left-hand inner side of the cockpit immediately below the canopy opening. Similarly, for aircraft configured for passenger transport, an additional crash axe must be installed on the inside surface of the cargo door, in addition to the one in the cockpit. Compliance with these installation requirements must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1971, ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the prescribed safety standards.
Key Provisions
The main provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically Airworthiness Directive AD/FU24/43, pertain to the mandatory installation of crash axes on FU 24 Series Aeroplanes operated by Airparts (NZ) Ltd. Section 1 of the directive mandates that for aircraft engaged in agricultural operations, a crash axe must be installed on the left hand inner side of the cockpit immediately below the canopy opening (Regulation 39-105(1)). Additionally, for aircraft configured for passenger carriage in the fuselage, the same installation is required, with an additional axe to be placed on the inside surface of the cargo door (Regulation 39-105(2)). Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1971.
The obligations under this directive are clear and precise. Operators of FU 24 Series Aeroplanes must ensure that the specified crash axes are installed according to the given specifications. This involves not only the physical installation of the axes but also ensuring that the installation is done correctly and within the stipulated timeframe to maintain compliance with safety regulations. The directive explicitly targets two configurations of the aircraft, agricultural operations and passenger carriage, and mandates the placement of axes in strategic locations to enhance emergency egress and safety.
Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in this directive can result in serious consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the directive itself, breaches of Civil Aviation Regulations can generally lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft operating certificates, and other regulatory sanctions. The severity of the penalties can depend on the nature and extent of the breach, as well as any resultant safety risks or incidents.
In summary, Airworthiness Directive AD/FU24/43 under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 requires the installation of crash axes on specific parts of the FU 24 Series Aeroplanes within a defined timeframe. Non-compliance can lead to regulatory action by CASA, underscoring the importance of adhering to these safety provisions to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft in question.