Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, address the issuance of Airworthiness Directives by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. Enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, this regulatory framework aims to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety by mandating specific actions to correct identified unsafe conditions. For instance, AD/IAI-A/5, issued on 30 August 2000, targets Israel Aircraft Industries 1125 (Astra) Series Aeroplanes, requiring inspections of windshield wiper arms to prevent potential in-flight failures following reports of rivet failures. This directive underscores the commitment to proactive safety measures, ensuring that aircraft meet necessary safety standards through timely and specific compliance instructions.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 pertains specifically to Israel Aircraft Industries 1125 (Astra) series aeroplanes, covering model 1125 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 004 through 029, with the exception of serial number 020. The directive mandates an inspection of the windshield wipers in accordance with Israel Aircraft Industries Alert Service Bulletin 1125-30A-222, aiming to address a reported issue of rivet failure on the windshield wiper arm which could lead to in-flight separation of the wiper arm tip assembly. Compliance with the directive must be achieved within specified timeframes, contingent on the aircraft's total flight hours as of 30 August 2000, with inspections either within 10 flight hours after this date for aircraft having over 4,000 total flight hours or before 30 November 2000 for those with fewer than 4,000 total flight hours. This regulatory requirement, issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, is intended to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of the specified aircraft fleet within the Australian jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). For the Israel Aircraft Industries 1125 (Astra) Series Aeroplanes, the AD in focus is AD/IAI-A/5 (10/2000 DM), which mandates inspections of the windshield wipers. This directive applies to Model 1125 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 004 to 029, excluding serial number 020 (Applicability). The inspections must be carried out in accordance with Israel Aircraft Industries Alert Service Bulletin 1125-30A-222 (Requirement). This action is necessary to prevent the in-flight separation of the wiper arm tip assembly, following a report of rivet failure (Background). Under the AD, there are specific compliance timelines depending on the total flight hours of the aircraft as of 30 August 2000. For aircraft with more than 4,000 total flight hours, the inspections must be completed within 10 flight hours after 30 August 2000. For aircraft with less than 4,000 total flight hours, the inspections must be completed before 30 November 2000 (Compliance). The AD became effective on 30 August 2000, the date it was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. Operators and owners of the specified aircraft must adhere to the requirements outlined in the AD. This includes conducting the required inspections within the specified timeframes and following the detailed instructions provided in the referenced Alert Service Bulletin. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential operational restrictions or grounding until the necessary inspections and any required repairs are completed. Violations of the AD may lead to enforcement actions by CASA, which could include fines, penalties, or other regulatory actions. While specific penalties are not detailed within the AD itself, under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, serious breaches can result in substantial financial penalties, with maximum fines for corporations reaching up to $1,050,000 and individuals facing fines up to $210,000. Additionally, persistent non-compliance could lead to more severe consequences such as suspension or revocation of the aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness, further impacting the aircraft's operational status.