AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/GAF-N22/44 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
GAF N22 and N24 Series Aeroplanes
AD/GAF-N22/44
Amdt 2
Rudder Control Lever Shafts 11/2004
Applicability: All models N22 and N24 aircraft with line sequence numbers listed in the requirements document that are fitted with rudder control lever shafts P/N’s 1/N-45- 1102, 2/N-45-1102, 1/N-45-1103 & 1/N-45-1104.
Requirement: | 1. | Inspect in accordance with Nomad Alert Service Bulletin ANMD-27-51 Rev 2 dated 29 April 2004. |
| 2. | Repetitive Inspections are to be made in accordance with Temporary Revisions 25 and 26 of the Inspection Requirements Manual. |
Compliance: | 1. | If not already accomplished, inspect within 10 hours time in service after 26 December 2002. |
| 2. | Re-inspect at intervals not to exceed 300 hours time in service after the initial inspection, or before next flight after any event that may cause abnormal rudder pedal loads. |
This Amendment becomes effective on 28 October 2004.
Background: The manufacturer has advised that another failure of the rudder control lever shaft has occurred since the introduction of Alert Service Bulletin ANMD-27-23. All the failures have occurred during ground operations and nosewheel steering/rudder loads are now considered to be the primary cause.
Amendment 1 changed the requirement document to a new version. The new requirement document (ANMD-27-51) included a new part no. that replaced an earlier part, and changed the minimum thickness allowed.
GAF N22 and N24 Series Aeroplanes
AD/GAF-N22/44 Amdt 2 (continued)
Amendment 2 again changes the requirements document to the latest version. The latest requirement documents now has the Part B repetitive inspection requirements deleted and reference made to the Inspection Requirements Manual. This amendment also increases the interval between repetitive inspections to 300 hrs time in service.
The Requirement 1 compliance time is not effected by this amendment.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 17 September 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 6 October 2004.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in 2004, specifically AD/GAF-N22/44 Amdt 2, addresses an identified safety issue concerning the rudder control lever shafts on GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes. This directive was enacted to mitigate the risk of rudder control lever shaft failures, which had occurred during ground operations, and to ensure that the aircraft maintain their airworthiness standards. The primary motivation behind this directive was to address the unsafe condition identified, specifically the failure of the rudder control lever shafts, and to ensure that the safety of the aircraft and its passengers were not compromised. The directive mandates specific inspection and maintenance protocols to be followed by operators of the affected aircraft, as outlined in the Nomad Alert Service Bulletin and the Inspection Requirements Manual, aiming to prevent further incidents of this nature.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/GAF-N22/44 Amdt 2 pertains specifically to all models of N22 and N24 aircraft with line sequence numbers listed in the requirements document, provided they are fitted with rudder control lever shafts P/N’s 1/N-45-1102, 2/N-45-1102, 1/N-45-1103, and 1/N-45-1104. This AD applies to aircraft that are registered and operated within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, and it is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate. The directive aims to address safety concerns identified in the rudder control lever shaft by mandating specific inspection procedures and intervals. These inspections are required to be conducted within 10 hours of time in service following the effective date of the AD and then at intervals not exceeding 300 hours of time in service or before the next flight after any event that may cause abnormal rudder pedal loads. The AD is subject to updates through amendments, such as the one issued on 28 October 2004, which modifies the requirement document to the latest version and adjusts inspection intervals. This AD does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, and it is enforceable across the entire Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the outlined safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/GAF-N22/44 Amdt 2, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), pertains specifically to GAF N22 and N24 Series Aeroplanes fitted with certain rudder control lever shafts. It mandates inspections and re-inspections of these parts to ensure safety. The directive applies to aircraft with specific line sequence numbers and rudder control lever shafts with particular part numbers (sections 1, 2, and 3). The requirement section (section 4) specifies that inspections must be conducted in accordance with Nomad Alert Service Bulletin ANMD-27-51 Rev 2 dated 29 April 2004, with repetitive inspections following Temporary Revisions 25 and 26 of the Inspection Requirements Manual. The compliance section (section 5) outlines that an initial inspection must be conducted within 10 hours of time in service after 26 December 2002, and subsequent inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 300 hours of time in service, or before the next flight if an event potentially causing abnormal rudder pedal loads has occurred.
The AD imposes obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to perform and document inspections as specified. Operators must ensure that the aircraft in question are inspected and re-inspected within the stipulated timeframes and according to the detailed procedures outlined in the requirement section (section 4). Maintenance personnel must be trained and competent to carry out these inspections correctly. Additionally, records of all inspections must be maintained and be available for review by CASA or its delegates to ensure compliance with the AD.
Breaches of this AD can have significant legal and safety consequences. Failure to comply with the inspection and re-inspection requirements can result in serious safety risks, potentially leading to rudder control failures during operation, which could compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. Civil penalties may apply for non-compliance with CASA regulations, including fines up to the maximum allowable under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Furthermore, criminal penalties could be imposed if non-compliance is deemed to have contributed to an accident or incident. CASA has the authority to take enforcement actions, including grounding the aircraft until compliance is achieved, to ensure adherence to the AD.