COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Israel Aircraft Industries 1125 (Astra) Series Aeroplanes
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/IAI-A/12 Nose Landing Gear Drag Brace 9/2001
DM
Applicability: Model 1125 Astra aircraft, serial numbers 004 through 039; equipped with a nose landing gear drag brace having IAI part numbers 25W272003-501 through -507 (SHL part number 248-0000-00).
Model 1125 Astra and Astra SPX aircraft with serial numbers higher than 039 which have had the complete nose landing gear or the drag brace replaced, must be checked for applicability.
Requirement: Perform a visual and eddy current inspection of the upper radius of the nose landing gear drag brace in accordance with Israel Aircraft Industries Astra Alert Service Bulletin No. 1125-32A-095.
Note 1: Installation of drag brace IAI part number 25W272007-501 (SHL part number 3531-0000-00) constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this Directive.
Note 2: Israel CAA AD 32-00-12-14 refers.
Compliance: Unless accomplished within the last 250 hours time in service, within 25 hours time in service after 25 July 2001. Thereafter, inspect per Chapters 5 and 32 of the Astra Maintenance Manual including Temporary Revision 32-7, dated 28 November 2000.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 25 July 2001.
Background: Cracks have been found on the fillet between the trunnion axis and the body on affected nose landing gear drag braces. Undetected fatigue cracking could result in failure of the drag brace and collapse of the nose landing gear.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 17 July 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 25 July 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, addresses the safety standards for civil aviation in Australia through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The legislation was enacted to ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products in Australian airspace. This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD) was introduced to address a safety issue identified in the Israel Aircraft Industries 1125 (Astra) Series Aeroplanes, particularly concerning the nose landing gear drag brace. The problem identified was the presence of cracks on the fillet between the trunnion axis and the body of the nose landing gear drag brace, which could lead to catastrophic failure if left unchecked. The policy objective of this AD is to mandate specific inspections and corrective actions to mitigate the risk of such failures, thereby enhancing the overall safety of the aircraft. The AD was issued by a CASA delegate, David Alan Villiers, and became effective on 25 July 2001.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety concerns regarding the nose landing gear drag brace of Israel Aircraft Industries 1125 (Astra) Series Aeroplanes. This AD applies to all Model 1125 Astra aircraft with serial numbers between 004 and 039, and those with higher serial numbers that have had the nose landing gear or the drag brace replaced, subject to a check for applicability. The directive mandates a visual and eddy current inspection of the upper radius of the nose landing gear drag brace in accordance with specified service bulletins, with the aim of preventing potential failure due to undetected fatigue cracking. The AD stipulates that inspections must occur within 25 hours of time in service following 25 July 2001 unless performed within the last 250 hours, and subsequent inspections are to be conducted as outlined in the Astra Maintenance Manual. The AD is enforceable across the Commonwealth of Australia and is published to ensure compliance with aviation safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, mandate the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure the safety of aircraft. This particular AD, numbered AD/IAI-A/12, pertains to the nose landing gear drag brace of the Israel Aircraft Industries 1125 (Astra) series aeroplanes. It applies to aircraft with specific serial numbers and drag brace part numbers (Section 9/2001DM). The directive requires a visual and eddy current inspection of the upper radius of the nose landing gear drag brace, as outlined in Israel Aircraft Industries Astra Alert Service Bulletin No. 1125-32A-095. This inspection must be carried out unless the drag brace has already been replaced with a newer version (IAI part number 25W272007-501). The directive also references Israel CAA AD 32-00-12-14 for additional guidance.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators of affected aircraft. They must ensure that the visual and eddy current inspection is performed on the upper radius of the nose landing gear drag brace. If the aircraft has undergone a complete nose landing gear or drag brace replacement, it must still be checked for applicability. Operators must adhere to the instructions in the requirement section and ensure compliance with the specified timing. The initial inspection must occur within 25 hours of service after 25 July 2001, unless it has already been performed within the last 250 hours of service. Subsequent inspections must follow the guidelines in Chapters 5 and 32 of the Astra Maintenance Manual, including Temporary Revision 32-7 dated 28 November 2000.
Failure to comply with this AD may result in serious safety risks, including the potential failure of the drag brace and collapse of the nose landing gear. Although the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state specific penalties for non-compliance with ADs, non-compliance can lead to significant civil or criminal consequences. CASA has the authority to take enforcement actions, which could include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory measures. The severity of these consequences depends on the nature and extent of the non-compliance and the associated risks to aviation safety.