AD/G159/21 - Wing Rear Beam Upper Cap Splice Angles - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Orders, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, were introduced to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for civil aviation safety, among other purposes. Specifically, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is responsible for ensuring that all civil aviation activities in Australia comply with safety standards. The legislation aims to mitigate risks associated with civil aviation, thereby protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the aviation system. The Civil Aviation Orders were brought into effect by the Australian Government through the Parliament, reflecting a commitment to high safety standards and efficient regulation of the nation's civil aviation sector.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Orders, specifically Part 105 Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, apply to all models of the Gulfstream (Grumman) G.159 series aeroplanes, mandating that inspections of the wing rear beam upper cap splice angles be conducted. This directive applies to all operators and owners of these aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia. Compliance with the Airworthiness Directive AD/G159/21 requires that inspections are performed before the next major maintenance or repair (MR) event or by 31 July 1973, whichever comes first, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding one year. The directive is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring that all necessary safety measures are consistently met to maintain the airworthiness of these aeroplanes. The scope of the directive encompasses the entire aircraft fleet within Australian jurisdiction, with no specified exclusions or exemptions, ensuring a uniform standard of safety across the industry.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Orders (CAO) Part 105 Schedule of Airworthiness Directives specifically addresses the GulfStream (Grumman) G.159 series aeroplanes in section AD/G159/21. This section mandates that inspections of the Wing Rear Beam Upper Cap Splice Angles must be performed on all models of the aircraft. According to the directive, this inspection must be completed before the next major maintenance release (MR) or by 31 July 1973, whichever comes first, and then at intervals not exceeding one year thereafter (section AD/G159/21). This requirement is detailed in Grumman Customer Bulletin No. 230. The obligations imposed by this directive are primarily on the aircraft operators and maintenance personnel. They are responsible for ensuring that the inspections of the Wing Rear Beam Upper Cap Splice Angles are carried out as specified in the directive. This includes conducting the initial inspection before the next major maintenance release or by the specified deadline and subsequently adhering to the one-year inspection interval. The directive also necessitates that any identified issues must be appropriately addressed to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Proper documentation of the inspections and any corrective actions must be maintained as part of the aircraft's maintenance records. Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive can result in serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives can be considered an offence. The potential penalties for breaching these provisions include substantial fines. For corporations, the maximum penalty can be up to $210,000 for each instance of non-compliance (section 27 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988). Additionally, the failure to adhere to the mandated inspection schedule could lead to the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which would result in grounding and prevent the aircraft from operating until the necessary inspections and repairs are completed. This could have significant operational and financial repercussions for the aircraft operators.