AD/GAF-N22/51 - Rudder Pedal Guard Plate

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety of aircraft through the implementation of Airworthiness Directives. One such directive, AD/GAF-N22/51, pertains to the GAF N22 and N24 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the installation of a rudder pedal guard plate. This directive was enacted to address the issue of rudder pedal jamming at full deflection, a problem that has arisen when the rudder pedals are adjusted at or near full aft deflection, particularly during landing on rough terrain or when encountering nose wheel shimmy. The requirement outlined in this directive mandates compliance with GAF Service Bulletin NMD-27-34, ensuring that the action is taken within 100 hours of time in service, or at the next scheduled inspection for a Maintenance Release issued after 31 December 1985, whichever comes later. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority of the Parliament of Australia, established this directive to enhance aviation safety by mitigating the risk of rudder pedal jamming.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which concerns the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, mandates that all operators of N22 and N24 series aeroplanes must comply with Airworthiness Directive AD/GAF-N22/51. This directive requires adherence to GAF Service Bulletin NMD-27-34, which pertains to the installation of a rudder pedal guard plate to prevent jamming of the rudder pedals. The action must be taken within 100 hours of time in service or at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issued after 31 December 1985, whichever occurs later. This directive is intended to address safety issues where jamming of the rudder pedals has occurred, particularly when the pedals are adjusted near full aft deflection during landings on rough terrain or in cases of nose wheel shimmy. The regulation applies across all models of N22 and N24 series aeroplanes, ensuring uniform safety standards are met nationwide under the Commonwealth of Australia's jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, focus on ensuring the airworthiness of specific aircraft models. Specifically, AD/GAF-N22/51 pertains to the GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes, addressing the installation of a rudder pedal guard plate (section 12/85). The directive mandates that this action must be taken in accordance with the GAF Service Bulletin NMD-27-34. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service or at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issued after 31 December 1985, whichever is later. The legislation imposes specific obligations on the entities governed by it, namely the requirement to implement the prescribed action on the rudder pedal guard plate within the specified timeframes. This involves adhering to the detailed instructions provided in the GAF Service Bulletin NMD-27-34. The directive is clear that if the aircraft has not yet accumulated 100 hours of time in service, the compliance should be carried out at the next scheduled inspection that occurs after the specified date. This ensures that the issue of rudder pedal jamming, which has been reported under certain conditions, is addressed promptly and effectively. In terms of the consequences for non-compliance, the regulations do not explicitly state the penalties or consequences for failing to adhere to the AD/GAF-N22/51 directive. However, non-compliance with CASA directives can generally lead to significant safety risks, potentially resulting in aircraft being grounded until the required actions are taken. This can have severe operational and financial implications for the operators. While specific penalties are not detailed in the text, it is clear that adherence to CASA directives is critical for maintaining airworthiness and ensuring safety standards are met.