COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Grob G115 Series Aeroplanes
AD/GROB 115/10 Main Landing Gear Axle 7/98
Applicability: Model G115 and G115A, all serial numbers.
Requirement: 1. Inspect, using dye penetrant method, the left and right main landing gear axles in accordance with Grob Service Bulletin (SB)1078-12/1. Replace any axle found cracked during inspection.
2. Modify the left and right main landing gear axle assemblies in accordance with the Installation Instructions of Grob SB 1078-12/1.
Note: LBA AD 90-185/2 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1: Unless already accomplished, inspect within 20 hours time in service after 18 June 1998. Thereafter inspect before further flight in the event of a heavy landing, or at intervals not to exceed 500 landings, whichever occurs first, until compliance with Requirement 2 of this Directive.
For Requirement 2: Unless already accomplished, modify before further flight if found cracked or before 31 December 1998, whichever occurs later.
This airworthiness directive becomes effective on 18 June 1998.
Background: Several aircraft have been found with cracks in the main landing gear axle, as a result of inspection in accordance with SB 1078-12/1. This directive requires inspection of the main landing gear axle for cracks, replacement of the axle if cracked and modification of the axle assembly to prevent cracks.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, were designed to provide comprehensive regulations governing civil aviation safety in the country. The 1998 Regulations aimed to address gaps and ensure a robust framework for airworthiness and operational safety. Among the various parts of these regulations, Part 39 specifically pertains to airworthiness directives, which are legally binding orders issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety issues in aircraft operations. AD/GROB 115/10 is one such directive, issued to address the problem of cracks found in the main landing gear axles of Grob G115 Series Aeroplanes. The policy objective behind this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft by mandating inspections, replacements, and modifications of the landing gear axles to prevent potential safety hazards. The directive aims to mitigate the risk of structural failure during landing, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandate the adherence to Airworthiness Directives (AD) for certain aircraft models to ensure their safe operation. This legislative instrument applies to all serial numbers of the Grob G115 and G115A series aeroplanes, stipulating requirements for the inspection, replacement, and modification of the main landing gear axles. This directive is essential to mitigate risks associated with cracks in the landing gear axle, which could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft during operation. The directive mandates inspections using the dye penetrant method as outlined in Grob Service Bulletin 1078-12/1, with the requirement to replace any cracked axle and modify the axle assemblies accordingly. Compliance with these directives is crucial, with specific timelines provided for inspections and modifications, ensuring that any potential safety hazards are addressed promptly. This legislation underscores the Commonwealth’s commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation within Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in PART 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes AD/GROB 115/10 concerning the main landing gear axle for Grob G115 Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to all models of the G115 and G115A series, regardless of serial number. The primary requirement (section 1) is to inspect the left and right main landing gear axles using the dye penetrant method in accordance with Grob Service Bulletin (SB) 1078-12/1. If any cracks are found during this inspection, the axle must be replaced. Furthermore, the left and right main landing gear axle assemblies must be modified according to the Installation Instructions outlined in Grob SB 1078-12/1.
Compliance with this directive mandates that inspections be performed within specific timeframes. If the inspection has not yet been completed, it must be done within 20 hours of the aircraft being in service after 18 June 1998. Subsequent inspections must occur before further flight if the aircraft experiences a heavy landing, or at intervals not exceeding 500 landings, whichever comes first, until the second requirement is met (section 2). For the modification requirement, if the axle is found to be cracked during inspection, it must be modified before further flight. If the inspection reveals no cracks, the modification must still be completed by 31 December 1998.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can result in serious safety implications and potential legal consequences. The directive is designed to ensure the structural integrity of the landing gear, which is critical for the safe operation of the aircraft. Therefore, non-compliance could lead to grounding of the aircraft, which may result in operational disruptions and potential liability for the aircraft owner or operator. Additionally, there may be civil or criminal penalties for failing to adhere to the safety regulations set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. These penalties could include fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity and circumstances of the breach.