AD/GROB 115/3 - Steering Damper Bushes

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, address various safety standards and procedures within the aviation industry, including the issuance of airworthiness directives for specific aircraft types. One such directive is AD/GROB 115/3, which pertains to the steering damper bushes of the Grob G115 Series Aeroplanes, specifically models with serial numbers 8090 through 8109. This directive was introduced to rectify a manufacturing issue identified in the G115A model, where oversize bushes were installed, potentially leading to rudder jamming under certain conditions. The policy objective is to ensure the safe operation of these aircraft by requiring compliance with the technical requirements outlined in German LBA AD 90-344, with reference to Grob SB TM 1078-17, before the next flight following 21 March 1991. The directive mandates corrective action for the affected steering damper bushes to prevent operational hazards, reflecting the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's commitment to maintaining high safety standards within the national airspace. This legislative instrument underscores the importance of timely and precise compliance with specified technical directives to mitigate risks associated with aircraft operation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertain to the airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). One such directive, AD/GROB 115/3, addresses the steering damper bushes in the Grob G115 Series aeroplanes, particularly the model Grob G115A with serial numbers ranging from 8090 to 8109. This directive mandates compliance with the technical requirements set forth in German LBA AD 90-344, as referenced in Grob Service Bulletin TM 1078-17. The requirement necessitates action to be taken according to these specifications unless already accomplished, and compliance must be achieved before the next flight following 21 March 1991. This regulation is pivotal in ensuring the safety of these specific aircraft models by addressing potential rudder jamming due to oversize bushes installed during manufacture. The directive applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, encompassing the specified aircraft models and serial numbers, and mandates adherence to the outlined technical requirements to maintain airworthiness standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, Section 105, specifically address the airworthiness directives concerning the Grob G115 Series Aeroplanes. Section AD/GROB 115/3 pertains to the steering damper bushes of the Model Grob G115A with serial numbers ranging from 8090 to 8109. The directive requires compliance with the technical requirements outlined in German LBA AD 90-344. It is important to note that this directive refers to Grob Service Bulletin TM 1078-17. The compliance must be ensured unless it has already been addressed and must be achieved before the next flight following 21 March 1991. The directive highlights a manufacturing issue where some oversized bushes were installed in the steering damper 115-4220, which under certain conditions can lead to the rudder jamming. The regulations impose clear obligations on the operators and owners of the specified Grob G115A models. They must ensure that the steering damper bushes are checked and, if necessary, replaced or adjusted to meet the technical specifications set out in German LBA AD 90-344. This involves verifying that the bushes installed are of the correct size and do not compromise the aircraft's safety. Operators and owners are also required to maintain records of any actions taken to comply with this directive. This documentation is crucial for demonstrating compliance during any safety inspections or audits by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance in this particular directive; however, general provisions within the Civil Aviation Act 1988 apply. Breaching airworthiness requirements can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential criminal charges for those responsible. In more severe cases, CASA can impose a suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, effectively grounding the aircraft until the issues are resolved. Such actions underscore the importance of adhering to the specified technical requirements to maintain the safety and operational legality of the aircraft.