AD/G159/19 Amdt 4 - Landing Gear

Overview

The Civil Aviation Orders, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, were enacted to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. Specifically, Part 105 of these Orders, which pertains to the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, aims to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft through mandatory safety directives. One such directive, AD/G159/19 Amendment 4, addresses the landing gear of the Gulfstream (Grumman) G.159 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to ensure the safety and reliability of the landing gear by mandating a fluorescent dye Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) to detect any cracking of the landing gear's aluminium forgings. The requirement is to perform this inspection within 150 landings after 28 December 1989, or since the last overhaul, whichever is later, and then as per the G1 Inspection Schedule. This measure responds to a specific safety concern identified by the manufacturer and deemed suitable for Australian conditions by CASA.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Orders, specifically Part 105 Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, apply to all Gulfstream (Grumman) G.159 series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument mandates that a fluorescent dye Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) be conducted to check for cracks in the landing gear aluminium forgings as per Gulfstream Customer Bulletin No. 228B. The requirement must be met within 150 landings after 28 December 1989, or since the last overhaul, whichever is later, and subsequently according to the G1 Inspection Schedule. The directive applies nationally under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). There are no exclusions or exemptions stated in this particular directive, and its application extends across all models of the specified aircraft. Any additional specifications or modifications to the application of this directive may be made through subordinate instruments by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Orders, specifically Part 105 Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for the Gulfstream (Grumman) G.159 series aeroplanes, detail the requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of these aircraft models. Section AD/G159/19 Amendment 4 focuses on the landing gear of all models within this series. This directive mandates that operators must carry out a fluorescent dye Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) to check for any cracking in the landing gear aluminium forgings. This inspection must be performed in accordance with Gulfstream Customer Bulletin No. 228B (Section 13/89). This requirement applies to all models of the Gulfstream (Grumman) G.159 series aeroplanes and must be conducted within 150 landings after 28 December 1989, or since the last overhaul, whichever is later. Subsequent inspections should then follow the G1 Inspection Schedule as outlined by the manufacturer. Operators of these aircraft are obligated to ensure that the specified NDI is performed by qualified personnel and that the inspection results are documented and retained in the aircraft’s maintenance records. This requirement ensures that any potential issues with the landing gear are identified and addressed in a timely manner, thereby maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. It is also important for operators to keep up to date with any amendments or updates to the inspection procedures or schedules issued by the manufacturer or the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/G159/19 Amendment 4 can lead to serious consequences. Non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives is a breach of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and can result in penalties. Under Section 97 of the Act, operators who fail to comply with an Airworthiness Directive can be subject to civil penalties. The maximum penalty for an individual is $165,294 and for a body corporate, the penalty can be significantly higher, up to $826,470. Additionally, CASA has the authority to take enforcement actions which can include grounding the aircraft until compliance is achieved, which can have severe operational and financial implications for the operator. It is therefore crucial for operators to adhere strictly to the requirements set out in the Airworthiness Directives to avoid these serious consequences.