AD/GROB 115/6 - Elevator - Lever

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative instrument F2006B10325, address the safety and maintenance standards for civil aviation in Australia, specifically targeting the Grob G115 series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument was introduced to address a safety concern identified in the elevator levers of the Grob G115, G115A, and G115B aircraft models, which had been reported to develop cracks. This concern necessitated a regulatory response to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of these aircraft. Enacted by the Australian Government under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, this specific Airworthiness Directive aims to mitigate potential risks by mandating regular inspections. The policy objective is to safeguard the integrity of the elevator lever, thereby enhancing flight safety and preventing in-flight incidents due to mechanical failure.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all aircraft of the Grob G115, G115A, and G115B series. This legislation mandates that these aircraft must undergo a dye penetrant inspection of the elevator lever, specifically part number 115-3571, to detect any cracks as outlined in Grob G115 Service Bulletin TM 1078-29. The initial inspection must be conducted within five hours of the aircraft being in service after 29 March 1995, with subsequent inspections occurring at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. This directive aims to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft by addressing a reported issue of cracks in the elevator lever, thereby ensuring ongoing safety standards are met in accordance with Australian aviation regulations.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39, particularly in Section 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandates specific maintenance actions for the Grob G115 series aeroplanes. The relevant directive, AD/Grob 115/6, focuses on the elevator lever, which is identified by the part number 115-3571. This directive applies to all models of the Grob G115 series, including the G115, G115A, and G115B (105.02). The main requirement is that a dye penetrant inspection of the elevator lever must be carried out to detect any cracks, following the procedure outlined in Grob G115 Service Bulletin TM 1078-29 (105.03). This inspection is a precautionary measure in response to reports of cracks in the elevator lever. The obligations under this directive are clear and specific. Aircraft operators must ensure that the initial inspection is conducted within five hours of the aircraft being in service from the directive's date, which is 29 March 1995 (105.04). Following this initial inspection, further inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service (105.05). This periodic inspection schedule ensures ongoing airworthiness and compliance with safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this directive may result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can be considered an offence. The potential penalties for such breaches can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, criminal charges. While the exact penalties are not specified in this directive, they can be significant given the serious implications for flight safety. The overarching goal is to maintain the highest standards of airworthiness and safety in the operation of Grob G115 series aeroplanes.