AD/GAF-N22/22 - Fuselage - Wing Centre Section Spar Support Bracket Attachment - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. The regulations encompass a broad range of requirements, including airworthiness directives that mandate specific safety standards for various aircraft types. One such directive, AD/GAF-N22/22, applies to the fuselage-wing centre section spar support bracket attachment of GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes delivered before 4 July 1978. This directive aims to address a specific safety issue identified in these aircraft models, requiring inspections to be carried out within a specified period after a certain date to ensure ongoing airworthiness. The policy objective behind these regulations is to maintain the highest possible safety standards in civil aviation by enforcing mandatory safety measures and compliance with aviation standards. The GAF Alert SB ANMD-16-1 (ANMD-53-2) and its revision, which underpin the directive AD/GAF-N22/22, were issued to inform and direct operators of the affected aircraft to conduct the necessary inspections. The enforcement of such directives is critical in mitigating potential safety risks associated with the identified issues, thereby safeguarding the integrity and safety of air travel within Australia. Through these regulations, CASA aims to ensure that all civil aviation operations adhere to stringent safety protocols, thereby protecting the public and maintaining the credibility of the aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 within the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandates that all models N22, N22B, N24, and N24A of GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes, delivered from the factory prior to 4 July 1978, comply with the AD/GAF-N22/22 directive concerning the fuselage wing centre section spar support bracket attachment inspection. This regulation applies to all relevant aircraft within the specified models and dates of delivery, ensuring that they meet the specified safety standards. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, requiring an inspection to be completed within 10 hours of time in service following 12 July 1978, unless such inspection has already been conducted. This directive is enforceable across the Commonwealth of Australia and is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to ensure adherence to safety standards and regulatory compliance in the aviation industry.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes provisions that mandate the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the continued safe operation of aircraft. Section 39.105 pertains to the AD/GAF-N22/22, which concerns the inspection of the fuselage - wing centre section spar support bracket attachment in GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes. This AD applies to all models N22, N22B, N24 and N24A that were delivered from the factory prior to 4 July 1978 (Section 39.105(1)). The directive requires that unless the inspection has already been performed, it must be completed within 10 hours of time in service following 12 July 1978 (Section 39.105(2)). Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, the AD/GAF-N22/22 imposes several obligations on operators of the specified aircraft models. Operators must ensure that the required inspection of the fuselage - wing centre section spar support bracket attachment is carried out as per the directive. The compliance must be documented in accordance with the guidance provided in GAF Alert SB ANMD-16-1 (ANMD-53-2) and its Revision 1 (Section 39.105(3)). This ensures that all aircraft meet the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Failure to comply with the AD/GAF-N22/22 may result in significant consequences. According to Section 39.105(4), non-compliance with the stipulated inspection requirements could potentially lead to serious safety hazards, thereby risking the airworthiness of the aircraft. The regulations do not explicitly state civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance in the referenced section, but generally, violations of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. Such actions are taken to ensure adherence to safety standards and to prevent any risks to the public and aviation safety.