AD/G159/9 - Lower Centre Section Skin - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Orders, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, are a comprehensive set of rules and regulations governing civil aviation within the country. Among these, Part 105 specifically addresses the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, ensuring that all aircraft, their components, and associated equipment meet safety standards. One such directive pertains to the Gulfstream (Grumman) G.159 Series aeroplanes, identified as AD/G159/9. This directive was introduced to address the problem of corrosion in the lower centre section skin of these aircraft. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is the enacting body responsible for issuing these directives to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft. The policy objective behind AD/G159/9 is to ensure the safety and reliability of the Gulfstream G.159 aeroplanes by requiring regular inspections and necessary repairs of the lower centre section skin to prevent structural failure due to corrosion.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Orders, specifically Part 105 Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertain to the GulfStream (Grumman) G.159 Series aeroplanes, setting forth stringent requirements for maintaining airworthiness. This directive, AD/G159/9, applies universally to all models within the Gulfstream G.159 series, mandating that operators inspect the lower centre section fairings P/Ns 159 W10400-121 and 159-W10401-121 for corrosion. Should corrosion be detected, it is imperative that the wing planks be repaired in accordance with a scheme approved by the Secretary of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority prior to any further flight. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with inspections required before 1 April 1967 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding six months. This regulation ensures that the specified aircraft maintain their structural integrity and safety standards, directly impacting the operations and maintenance practices of entities involved in the management and operation of Gulfstream G.159 aeroplanes within the Commonwealth of Australia.

Key Provisions

The primary operative section of this legislative instrument, AD/G159/9, specifies that the lower centre section fairings P/Ns 159 W10400-121 and 159-W10401-121 must be removed from all models of the Gulfstream (Grumman) G.159 series aeroplanes. This requirement is intended to facilitate an inspection of the wing planks for any signs of corrosion (Section 12/67). If any corrosion is detected, it must be repaired in accordance with a scheme that has been approved by the Secretary before the aeroplane is permitted to fly again. The Act imposes specific obligations on the operators of Gulfstream (Grumman) G.159 series aeroplanes to ensure compliance with the directive. Operators must remove the specified fairings and inspect the wing planks for corrosion before the aeroplane is allowed to fly. This inspection must be conducted before 1 April 1967, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding six months. These obligations are aimed at maintaining the airworthiness of the aeroplanes by preventing corrosion-related issues that could compromise safety. Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive can lead to serious consequences. While the legislative instrument does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, under broader civil aviation safety legislation, breaches can result in substantial fines, enforcement actions, or even the grounding of the aircraft. The specific penalties would depend on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in enforcing the regulations.