AD/G1159/18 - Ground Spoiler System - Deactivation

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, establish comprehensive regulations governing civil aviation safety within the country. One significant legislative instrument within this framework is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/G1159/18 which pertains to the Gulfstream (Grumman) G1159 and G-IV series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns related to the ground spoiler system of the specified aircraft models, ensuring they are deactivated in accordance with the relevant service change notifications. The policy objective of this legislation is to maintain and enhance aviation safety by mandating specific operational modifications that mitigate identified risks associated with the aircraft's ground spoiler system.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models, including the Gulfstream (Grumman) G1159 and G-IV Series Aeroplanes. This legislation mandates the deactivation of the ground spoiler system on these aircraft models, as outlined in AD/G1159/18, to ensure compliance with safety standards. The directive applies to all models of the specified aircraft series that have not been modified in accordance with Grumman Aircraft Service Change No. 180. Compliance is required within 10 hours of time in service following the directive's issuance on 18 November 1975, as documented in FAA AD 74-17-05 Amendment 39-2359. The scope of this regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, encompassing both state and territory jurisdictions, and it does not include any specific exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the outlined modifications. The application of this directive can be extended or further specified through subordinate instruments as deemed necessary by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, includes the Airworthiness Directives for the Gulfstream (Grumman) G1159 and G-IV Series Aeroplanes (1). This directive mandates the deactivation of the ground spoiler system for all models not modified in accordance with Grumman Aircraft Service Change No. 180 (2). The relevant document for compliance is FAA AD 74-17-05 Amendment 39-2359 (3). The compliance requirement is to be completed within 10 hours of time in service after 18 November 1975 (4). The Airworthiness Directive imposes specific obligations on the operators of the Gulfstream G1159 and G-IV Series Aeroplanes. Operators must ensure that the aircraft's ground spoiler system is deactivated as per the specified service change (5). This deactivation must be carried out in accordance with the guidelines provided in the FAA AD 74-17-05 Amendment 39-2359 (6). The directive also mandates that these modifications must be completed within the specified timeframe to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft (7). Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. The regulations outline that any breach of the directive may lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (8). In the event of non-compliance, CASA has the authority to impose fines or take other regulatory actions against the operator or the aircraft owner (9). The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text but may include substantial financial penalties or grounding of the aircraft (10). The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 also establish the framework for handling violations and breaches of airworthiness directives. Any person who fails to comply with an Airworthiness Directive may be subject to penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (11). These penalties can include fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach (12). The maximum penalties for offences under the Civil Aviation Act can reach up to $126,000 for individuals and $630,000 for corporations, with additional penalties for ongoing breaches (13). It is imperative for operators to adhere to the directives to avoid these severe consequences.