AD/GOV/3 - Speed Adjusting Lever Retention - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Amendment (Governors and Propellers) Instrument 2006, were enacted to address specific safety concerns associated with propeller governors in multi-piston engined aircraft. This legislative instrument was developed by the Australian Government in response to identified safety gaps, particularly focusing on the retention of speed adjusting levers in Woodward lever type governors. The primary objective of this regulation is to ensure that modifications are made to these governors to prevent potential safety hazards, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation operations. The regulation mandates that these modifications must be completed at the next overhaul after 1 January 1974, ensuring that aircraft meet the required safety standards and comply with the specified technical directives.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as detailed in Part 39 - 107, encompasses a crucial directive under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) concerning propeller governors. Specifically, Airworthiness Directive AD/GOV/3 focuses on the speed adjusting lever retention for Woodward lever type governors installed in multi-piston engined aircraft. This regulation mandates that modifications be made to ensure the governor provides positive speed adjusting lever retention, in alignment with Woodward Service Bulletin No. 33549, Paragraph 4, under "Corrective Action." Compliance with this directive is required at the next overhaul of the affected aircraft, provided it is completed after 1 January 1974. The regulation applies nationally across Australia, overseen by CASA, and extends to all relevant aircraft within the specified category. There are no exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds outlined in this specific directive; however, the broader regulations may allow for certain conditions or variations through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, includes the Airworthiness Directives (AD) that govern the safety standards for civil aviation in Australia. Within this, AD/GOV/3 pertains to propeller governors installed in multi-piston engined aircraft. Section 10/73 of this directive is concerned with the modification of the speed adjusting lever retention for Woodward lever type governors. The directive mandates that these governors must be modified to ensure positive speed adjusting lever retention, following the corrective action outlined in Woodward Service Bulletin No. 33549, paragraph 4. Compliance with this directive is required by the next overhaul of the aircraft, which must be completed after 1 January 1974. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and direct. Operators and owners of multi-piston engined aircraft equipped with Woodward lever type governors must ensure that these governors are modified to comply with the specified corrective action. This modification is to be undertaken before the next overhaul of the aircraft is completed following 1 January 1974. The requirement is not optional but mandatory, ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the safety standards outlined in the directive to prevent potential hazards associated with improper speed adjusting lever retention. Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive can lead to serious consequences. Under Section 91.3 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, any person who fails to comply with an airworthiness directive can be subject to criminal penalties. The specific penalties are outlined in the regulations, and can include fines up to $275,000 for individuals and $1,375,000 for corporations. Additionally, repeated or serious non-compliance could result in the grounding of the aircraft, which would have significant operational implications for the aircraft owner or operator. Thus, it is imperative that all relevant parties adhere strictly to the requirements set forth in AD/GOV/3 to avoid these adverse outcomes.