COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Grob G115 Series Aeroplanes
AD/GROB 115/9 Elevator Hinges 10/97
Applicability: Model G115C and D, all serial numbers up to and including 82077. Requirement: 1. Inspect the elevator hinges in accordance with Grob Service Bulletin (SB)
1078-64/2
2. Replace the elevator hinges in accordance with Grob SB 1078-64.
Note: LBA AD 97-143 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1: Within 200 hours time in service after 11 September 1997, but not later than 1 year after compliance with SB 1078-59/3; thereafter at intervals not to exceed 200 hours time in service or annually, whichever occurs first, until compliance with Requirement 2 of this Directive.
For Requirement 2: Unless already accomplished, before 31 December 1998. This airworthiness directive becomes effective on 11 September 1997.
Background: Several aircraft were found to have delaminated outboard elevator hinges, as a result of inspection in accordance with SB 1078-59/3. This delamination was determined to be caused by overloading.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted by the Parliament of Australia, address various aspects of aviation safety, including the issuance of airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aircraft. One such directive, AD/GROB 115/9, pertains to the Grob G115 Series Aeroplanes, specifically addressing issues with elevator hinges. This directive was introduced to address the problem of delaminated outboard elevator hinges identified during inspections, which were found to be caused by overloading. The objective of this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft by mandating inspections and, if necessary, replacements of the elevator hinges. The directive specifies the intervals for inspection and replacement, with a particular emphasis on ensuring compliance by certain deadlines to maintain safety standards.
The directive AD/GROB 115/9 applies to all Grob G115C and D models with serial numbers up to and including 82077. It requires inspections in accordance with Grob Service Bulletin 1078-64/2 and replacement of the hinges as per Grob Service Bulletin 1078-64. Compliance is mandated within specific timeframes, with inspections to be conducted within 200 hours after 11 September 1997, and replacements to be completed by 31 December 1998. The directive became effective on 11 September 1997, highlighting the urgency and importance of addressing this safety issue to prevent potential hazards associated with delaminated hinges.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, mandate the compliance with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives specifically concerning the Grob G115 Series Aeroplanes, particularly models G115C and D with serial numbers up to and including 82077. This legislation applies to all aircraft operators and maintenance personnel who are responsible for ensuring the airworthiness of these aircraft. The directive focuses on elevator hinges, requiring inspections and replacements to address issues of delamination identified in previous inspections. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, as it is enforced by CASA, which has jurisdiction over civil aviation in Australia. Compliance with this directive is critical, as failure to adhere to the specified inspection and replacement schedules can compromise the safety of the aircraft. The directive provides specific timelines for compliance, emphasizing the urgency and importance of addressing the identified safety concerns. This legislation does not detail any exclusions or exemptions and relies on the overarching provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations for its enforcement and application.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a schedule of airworthiness directives that govern the safety standards for aircraft. One such directive, AD/GROB 115/9, pertains to the elevator hinges of the Grob G115 Series Aeroplanes, specifically the G115C and D models with serial numbers up to and including 82077. The directive requires inspection and replacement of these elevator hinges to ensure the aircraft's safety (AD/GROB 115/9). The directive outlines specific steps to be taken: first, an inspection of the elevator hinges must be conducted in accordance with Grob Service Bulletin (SB) 1078-64/2 (AD/GROB 115/9, Requirement 1). Second, the hinges must be replaced in accordance with the same service bulletin, SB 1078-64 (AD/GROB 115/9, Requirement 2).
The directive imposes clear obligations on the operators of these aircraft. They must ensure that the inspection is carried out within 200 hours of time in service after 11 September 1997, but no later than one year after compliance with SB 1078-59/3 (AD/GROB 115/9, Compliance for Requirement 1). Subsequent inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service or annually, whichever comes first, until the replacement of the hinges is completed (AD/GROB 115/9, Compliance for Requirement 1). The replacement of the hinges must be completed by 31 December 1998, unless it has already been done (AD/GROB 115/9, Compliance for Requirement 2).
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can result in serious consequences. The regulations do not specify penalties directly within the text provided, but non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Such actions can include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, and other legal repercussions. The severity of the penalties can depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, as well as any resulting safety risks or incidents.