AD/GAF-N22/16 Amdt 1 - Horizontal Stabiliser Rivets - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, constitute a comprehensive regulatory framework designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 pertains to airworthiness directives, which are mandatory orders issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to address safety issues in aircraft operations. One such directive, AD/GAF-N22/16 Amendment 1, focuses on the inspection of horizontal stabiliser rivets in certain GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the identified problem of potential structural integrity issues related to rivets in the horizontal stabilisers of these aircraft models, ensuring compliance with safety standards and enhancing overall aviation safety. The policy objective behind these regulations is to maintain the highest possible standards of safety in the civil aviation sector, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which applies to various aircraft, including the GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes as delineated in AD/GAF-N22/16 Amendment 1. This regulation mandates the inspection of horizontal stabiliser rivets on specified models and serial numbers of these aircraft to ensure their airworthiness. The directive is applicable to all aircraft models and serial numbers listed, demanding compliance for continued operation. The requirement stipulates that inspections must be completed before further flight and at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until modifications are made, as detailed in GAF Alert SB No. AN22-55-3, Rev. 1. This regulation applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, governed by CASA, and no exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds are specified within the text. The scope of the directive may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes (105(1)). This AD mandates inspections of the horizontal stabiliser rivets for specific models of these aeroplanes to ensure continued airworthiness. The directive applies to all models N22 with serial numbers ranging from N22-2 to N22B-28 and N22B-31, and to models N24 with serial numbers N24-30, N24-32, and N24-34 (105(2)). Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved before further flight, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the modifications are completed (105(3)). The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators and owners of the affected aeroplanes. They must ensure that the inspections are carried out as per the directive’s requirements. This includes thoroughly examining the horizontal stabiliser rivets to ascertain their condition and integrity. The inspections must be performed by qualified personnel, and any findings must be documented accurately (105(4)). If any issues are detected, the operators must address these promptly in accordance with the guidelines provided in GAF Alert SB No. AN22-55-3, Rev. 1 (105(5)). Failure to comply with the AD can result in severe consequences. Non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which can include fines and other penalties. The exact penalties for non-compliance are not specified in the text, but they can be substantial given the critical nature of the directive. The potential penalties underscore the importance of adhering strictly to the AD to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft (105(6)).