AD/GAF-N22/72 - Upper Fin Rear Attachment Points

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, were introduced to regulate civil aviation safety and ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. The regulation provides a comprehensive framework governing various aspects of civil aviation, including aircraft maintenance and airworthiness directives. Specifically, Part 39 - 105, concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, aims to mandate the periodic inspection and maintenance of aircraft to prevent and address potential safety issues. The policy objective behind this legislation is to maintain high safety standards in civil aviation by ensuring that aircraft remain airworthy through regular and rigorous inspections and adherence to specific maintenance requirements. One example of such detailed safety directives is AD/GAF-N22/72, which pertains to the Nomad N22 and N24 series aeroplanes. This directive requires the inspection of the upper fin rear attachment bolt holes in the stub fin rear face for radial cracks to address identified fatigue sensitivity in these areas. The directive mandates that inspections be conducted before the aircraft reaches 5000 hours of time in service or before further flight after 18 May 1995, whichever is later. This requirement is crucial in mitigating potential safety risks associated with structural fatigue and ensuring the continued airworthiness of these aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertains to airworthiness directives for specific aircraft types, including the GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes, as outlined in AD/GAF-N22/72. This legislation applies to all Nomad N22 and N24 series aircraft, mandating that inspections be carried out on the bores of the upper fin rear attachment bolt holes in the stub fin rear face to detect any radial cracks. The requirement is to conduct these inspections using methods specified in the ASTA Service Bulletin ANMD-53-19, Accomplishment Instructions, Part 1. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, necessitating inspection before the aircraft reaches 5000 hours of time in service or before further flight after 18 May 1995, whichever occurs later. The directive underscores the necessity for ongoing analysis of the fatigue sensitivity in the upper fin rear attachment points, with updates to be published as further analysis is conducted. This regulation is administered by the Commonwealth of Australia and applies nationally, ensuring a standardised approach to aviation safety across all states and territories.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically section 105, includes detailed Airworthiness Directives for certain aircraft models, such as the GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes. Section AD/GAF-N22/72 outlines the requirements for inspecting the upper fin rear attachment points. The requirement is to inspect the bores of the upper fin rear attachment bolt holes in the stub fin rear face for radial cracks (AD/GAF-N22/72). This inspection must be conducted using one of the methods described in ASTA Service Bulletin ANMD-53-19, Accomplishment Instructions, Part 1. The directive applies to all Nomad N22 and N24 series aircraft and necessitates the inspection to be completed before the aircraft reaches 5000 hours of time in service or before further flight after 18 May 1995, whichever comes later (AD/GAF-N22/72). The obligations imposed by this directive require aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to ensure that the specified inspections are carried out meticulously and in accordance with the prescribed methods. This includes reviewing the structural integrity of the upper fin rear attachment points to identify any potential radial cracks that could compromise the safety of the aircraft. Additionally, operators must maintain records of these inspections and ensure that the aircraft is not operated until the required checks have been satisfactorily completed. Failure to comply with these directives can result in significant consequences. Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations impose penalties for non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives. Specifically, breaches may lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness. The severity of the penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but the overarching aim is to ensure that all aircraft maintain the highest standards of safety and airworthiness. Operators must be diligent in their adherence to these regulations to avoid such repercussions.