AD/GAF-N22/61 Amdt 1 - Trim Tab Hinge

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contains the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes Amendment 1 concerning the GAF N22 and N24 Series Aeroplanes. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this legislation was introduced to address specific safety concerns regarding the trim tab hinge in certain Nomad series aircraft. This directive aims to rectify potential issues where the trim tab position could be incorrect, leading to binding and overstress of the trim tab linkage with the stabilizer and trim setting at particular positions. The policy objective behind this amendment is to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft by requiring compliance with the ASTA Nomad Alert SB ANMD-55-25 Parts 1 and 2, specifically focusing on actions that must be taken within specified hours of time in service post-June 1990. The amendment took effect on 13 June 1991, mandating that particular attention be given to the replacement of the trim tab hinge to mitigate identified risks.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, mandate the adherence to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for specific aircraft types, including the Nomad N22 and N24 series aeroplanes. Specifically, the AD/GAF-N22/61 Amendment 1 pertains to Nomad series aircraft with serial numbers N22S-159 to N22S-165 inclusive, which have undergone modification N663. The directive requires action to address a potential condition where the trim tab position of the horizontal stabilizers may be incorrect, leading to binding and overstress of the trim tab linkage with the stabilizer at certain trim settings. Compliance with this directive necessitates adhering to the initial issue of ASTA Nomad Alert SB ANMD-55-25 Parts 1 and 2, with specific timeframes for addressing the issues based on the aircraft's time in service after 6 June 1990. The directive became effective on 13 June 1991. This legislation applies to specific aircraft within the mentioned serial number range and modification, and the requirement is to ensure corrective action before specified hours of service post the directive's initial issuance. The directive extends its application nationwide, impacting aircraft operations within the Commonwealth of Australia. There are no exclusions or exemptions stated in this particular directive, and compliance is mandatory for the specified aircraft. The scope of the legislation is precise, targeting the identified aircraft and the specific condition, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the affected fleet.

Key Provisions

The primary sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the application of airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models. Section 39.105 specifically addresses the GAF N22 and N24 Series Aeroplanes, with a particular focus on Nomad series aircraft with serial numbers ranging from N22S-159 to N22S-165, inclusive of modification N663. This section requires compliance with Amendment 1 of Airworthiness Directive AD/GAF-N22/61, which pertains to the trim tab hinge. The directive necessitates actions in accordance with ASTA Nomad Alert SB ANMD-55-25 Parts 1 and 2. For Part 1, the action must be taken before the aircraft exceeds 10 hours of time in service following the date of the directive's initial issue, which was 6 June 1990. For Part 2, the requirement is that the action be completed before the aircraft exceeds 200 hours of time in service following the same date. This amendment became effective on 13 June 1991. The obligations imposed by this legislation on the relevant parties primarily revolve around the maintenance and modification of specified aircraft components. Operators of the affected Nomad series aircraft must ensure that the actions outlined in the airworthiness directive are carried out in a timely manner. Specifically, they must address any issues with the trim tab position of the horizontal stabilizers to prevent potential binding and overstress of the trim tab linkage. Compliance with the directive involves following the detailed instructions provided in the ASTA Nomad Alert SB ANMD-55-25 Parts 1 and 2, which include the replacement of the trim tab hinge as necessary. These obligations are designed to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft in question. In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 establish both civil and criminal penalties for breaches of airworthiness directives. Section 97 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 provides that any person who contravenes a direction given under the regulations may be liable to a penalty. The specific penalties can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. For example, under Section 97(1), an individual may be fined up to $275,000 for a corporation, or $55,000 for an individual, for each offence. Additionally, under Section 97(2), a person found guilty of a serious breach may face imprisonment for up to five years. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the airworthiness directives to maintain the safety standards required by Australian civil aviation regulations.