COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
GAF N22 and N24 Series Aeroplanes
AD/GAF-N22/60 Horizontal Stabiliser Pivot Bearings and Brackets
8/90 T
Applicability: Nomad series aircraft with S/Nos N22S-159 to N22S-165 inclusive and S/No N22C- 69 fitted with tailplane S/No GAF-179.
Requirement: Action in accordance with ASTA Nomad Alert SB ANMD 55-27 dated 21 May 1990. Compliance: Prior to further flight after 6 June 1990.
Background: With the fitting of Modification 663 the pivot bolts for the horizontal stabilizer are changed. Excessive stress may be placed on the tailplane pivot brackets by tightening the nuts on the pivot bolts, if insufficient shims are fitted.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted by the Australian Parliament, address the need for stringent safety standards in the aviation industry. One of the specific parts of this legislation, Part 39, includes the Airworthiness Directives (ADs) aimed at ensuring that aircraft meet the necessary safety standards for operation. Among these, AD/GAF-N22/60 pertains to the GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes, specifically addressing the horizontal stabiliser pivot bearings and brackets of certain Nomad series aircraft. This directive was introduced to rectify the problem of excessive stress on the tailplane pivot brackets, which could arise from improper fitting of shims when the pivot bolts were tightened following modification 663. The policy objective is to maintain airworthiness and ensure the safety of these aircraft through timely and appropriate maintenance actions as outlined in the Australian Standard Technical Alert (ASTA) Nomad Alert SB ANMD 55-27 dated 21 May 1990. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, requiring the specified action to be taken prior to further flight after 6 June 1990.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandates that certain airworthiness directives apply to designated aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia. For example, AD/GAF-N22/60 pertains to Nomad series aircraft with specific serial numbers, requiring compliance with the ASTA Nomad Alert SB ANMD 55-27 dated 21 May 1990. This directive applies to aircraft with serial numbers N22S-159 to N22S-165 inclusive and N22C-69 fitted with tailplane serial number GAF-179, mandating action before further flight after 6 June 1990 to address issues such as excessive stress on the tailplane pivot brackets. The regulation's scope is limited to these specific aircraft and does not extend to other types or models unless similarly specified in other directives. The regulatory framework ensures that the specified modifications are implemented to maintain the airworthiness of these aircraft within the Australian aviation industry.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, establish detailed safety directives for aircraft operations, including a focus on airworthiness. Section 39-105 pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. One such directive, AD/GAF-N22/60, addresses critical components of the GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes, specifically focusing on the horizontal stabiliser pivot bearings and brackets. This directive applies to Nomad series aircraft with specific serial numbers, namely those ranging from N22S-159 to N22S-165 inclusive, and the S/No N22C-69 equipped with tailplane S/No GAF-179 (Section 39-105(1)).
These aircraft must adhere to the requirements set forth in ASTA Nomad Alert Service Bulletin ANMD 55-27 dated 21 May 1990. The directive mandates compliance prior to any further flight after 6 June 1990, underscoring the urgency and importance of addressing the specified issues to ensure the continued safe operation of these aircraft (Section 39-105(2)). The primary requirement involves modifications to the horizontal stabiliser pivot bolts, as outlined in Modification 663, which aims to mitigate the excessive stress that can be placed on the tailplane pivot brackets if the nuts on the pivot bolts are tightened without sufficient shims (Section 39-105(3)). This requirement is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of the aircraft and preventing potential failures during flight.
Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that all necessary modifications are completed as per the instructions in the ASTA Nomad Alert Service Bulletin. This includes verifying that the appropriate shims are fitted and that the pivot bolts are adjusted correctly to prevent any undue stress on the tailplane pivot brackets. Failure to comply with these directives can lead to serious safety implications, including potential structural failures that could compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants (Section 39-105(4)).
The Act imposes strict obligations on aircraft operators to ensure compliance with the Airworthiness Directives issued by CASA. Non-compliance with these directives can result in serious consequences, including the potential grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are made. In addition, CASA has the authority to enforce penalties and take legal action against operators who fail to adhere to the stipulated requirements (Section 39-105(5)). These penalties can include fines and other regulatory actions, which serve as a deterrent to non-compliance and reinforce the importance of maintaining aircraft airworthiness.