AD/G159/30 Amdt 1 - Engine Nacelle Firewall - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Orders, specifically the 1998 Amendment to Part 105 Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses the safety concerns associated with the GulfStream (Grumman) G.159 Series aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the engine nacelle firewall. Enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), this legislative instrument was introduced to ensure that the identified safety issues were systematically addressed to maintain the airworthiness of these aircraft. The directive mandates inspections at intervals not exceeding 150 hours of time in service, following the issuance date of 31 October 1982, to mitigate the risk of additional cracks in the centre of the firewall, as highlighted in Grumman Customer Bulletin No. 293, Amendment 1. This directive aims to uphold the highest safety standards in the aviation industry and protect the integrity of the aircraft structure.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Orders, specifically the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Part 105 Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, apply to all operators and owners of Gulfstream (Grumman) G.159 series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument mandates that inspections must be conducted on the engine nacelle firewall at intervals not exceeding 150 hours of time in service following the directive's effective date of 31 October 1982. The directive aims to address and mitigate the risk of additional cracks that have been discovered in the centre of the firewall between specified locations, as outlined in Grumman Customer Bulletin No. 293, Amendment 1. This legislative instrument is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniform compliance and safety standards are met throughout the nation. The scope of this directive is confined to the inspection and maintenance of the specified aircraft models and does not extend to other types of aircraft or aviation equipment. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the text of this specific legislative instrument.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Civil Aviation Order focus on the inspection requirements for the engine nacelle firewall of the Gulfstream (Grumman) G.159 series aeroplanes. According to Section 1, all models of the Gulfstream (Grumman) G.159 series are subject to these inspection directives. The compliance interval specified in Section 2 is not to exceed 150 hours of time in service after 31 October 1982. The directive is based on the findings of additional cracks in the centre of the firewall, as detailed in Grumman Customer Bulletin No. 293, Amendment 1 (Section 3). The document provides the technical basis for the inspection requirements, highlighting the specific areas of concern. The obligations imposed by this Civil Aviation Order on the parties or entities it governs include ensuring that the inspections are conducted in accordance with the specified intervals. Operators must adhere to the guidance provided in Grumman Customer Bulletin No. 293, Amendment 1, and perform the inspections within the stipulated timeframe of 150 hours after 31 October 1982. It is crucial that operators maintain records of these inspections to demonstrate compliance with the order. Non-compliance with these inspection requirements could lead to safety issues and potential regulatory action. The Act outlines potential consequences for breach of its provisions. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, it is common under Australian aviation law for breaches of such safety directives to result in penalties. Typically, these could include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory actions. In severe cases, criminal charges could be pursued, leading to imprisonment for individuals or significant fines for corporations. The exact penalties would depend on the severity of the breach and any resulting harm or risk to safety.