AD/GAF-N22/62 Amdt 1 - Stub Fin

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD) for various aircraft, including the GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes. AD/GAF-N22/62 Amendment 1, dated 12/90, addresses defects in the right-hand stub fin of the Nomad N22 and N24 aircraft, which have been identified as a critical safety concern due to potential impacts with the horizontal stabiliser that can compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft. The aim of this directive is to ensure that the affected aircraft are inspected and, if necessary, modified to meet the specified safety standards, thereby reducing the risk of in-flight structural failure. Enacted by the Australian Government under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, these regulations are designed to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation within Australia. The directive applies to all Nomad N22 and N24 aircraft, stipulating specific inspection and compliance requirements based on whether the aircraft have already been modified or not. The overarching policy objective is to mandate periodic inspections and necessary modifications to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft, thereby safeguarding the safety of passengers and crew.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, mandate the application of specific airworthiness directives for GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all Nomad N22 and N24 aircraft, requiring adherence to the Nomad Alert Service Bulletin (SB) ANMD-53-12 Rev.1. The directive stipulates that aircraft which have not complied with SB NMD-53-5 or incorporated modifications N600A or N600B must comply prior to exceeding 25 hours of time in service after 26 September 1990 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. For those aircraft that have already complied with SB NMD-53-5 or have the aforementioned modifications, compliance is required before exceeding 100 hours of time in service after the specified date and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. Aircraft that have incorporated modification N663 need to comply before exceeding 100 hours of time in service post 26 September 1990. Any deformed or cracked parts must be repaired or replaced before further flight to ensure structural integrity. This directive ensures that all affected aircraft meet safety standards, thereby protecting the integrity of civil aviation operations within the Commonwealth of Australia.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives concerning the GAF N22 and N24 Series Aeroplanes (subsection 12/90 DM). This legislation mandates specific actions regarding the maintenance and safety of these aircraft, particularly focusing on the right-hand stub fin. According to section 1, aircraft that have not complied with Service Bulletin (SB) NMD-53-5 or have not incorporated modifications N600A or N600B must adhere to certain inspection periods. For such aircraft, inspections must occur before exceeding 25 hours of time in service following 26 September 1990, and thereafter, the inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. Conversely, for aircraft that have complied with SB NMD-53-5 or have incorporated modifications N600A or N600B, inspections should be carried out before exceeding 100 hours of time in service after the aforementioned date, with subsequent inspections occurring at intervals not exceeding 100 hours. For aircraft that have incorporated modification N663, inspections must be conducted before exceeding 100 hours of time in service after 26 September 1990, and a one-off inspection is sufficient thereafter. The obligations imposed by these regulations are stringent and revolve around ensuring the airworthiness and safety of the specified aircraft. Operators must ensure that their aircraft comply with the outlined inspection schedules and modifications. Additionally, any deformed or cracked parts must be repaired or replaced before the aircraft is allowed to fly again. These obligations are designed to prevent structural failures that could compromise the aircraft's ability to carry design loads, thus maintaining the highest safety standards. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives can result in serious legal consequences. The legislation does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, but given the critical nature of these directives, violations could potentially lead to severe civil or criminal penalties under broader aviation safety laws. These could include fines, suspension of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate, or even criminal charges if the non-compliance results in an accident or endangers public safety. The exact penalties would be determined based on the specific circumstances of the breach and the relevant provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and other related regulations.