Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, established by the Australian Parliament, form the foundation of civil aviation safety regulations in Australia. One of the key components of these regulations is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These ADs are crucial for maintaining the safety standards of aircraft within the country, as they mandate specific actions to address identified safety issues. AD/IAI-A/6, issued on 3 April 2001 and notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 18 April 2001, addresses a critical issue identified by the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority regarding the Astra SPX aircraft series. This particular AD was introduced to rectify an unsafe condition involving an incorrect countersink angle on the Horizontal Stabiliser Lower Scissors Attachment Bolt Holes of Astra SPX aircraft serial numbers 085 to 112.5/2001. The directive mandates specific inspections and rework to correct this angle, ensuring that the affected aircraft meet the necessary safety standards and preventing potential premature failure of the bolts, which could compromise the aircraft's airworthiness.

Scope and Application

This legislative instrument, issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, pertains specifically to the airworthiness of Israel Aircraft Industries 1125 (Astra) Series Aeroplanes, more precisely those within the Astra SPX category, serial numbers 085 to 112.5/2001. The Airworthiness Directive mandates corrective actions to address an identified safety issue concerning the horizontal stabiliser lower scissors attachment bolt holes. The AD applies to the specified serial numbers of Astra SPX aircraft and requires compliance with the detailed inspection and rework instructions outlined in Astra Alert Service bulletin 1125-55A-192 Revision 1. The AD delineates the need for an initial inspection to verify the countersink angle, followed by repetitive inspections and, if necessary, rework to correct any discrepancies. Compliance must be achieved within specific timeframes: the initial inspection must be performed within 30 hours of the AD's effective date, with subsequent inspections occurring at intervals not exceeding 50 hours, and rework must be completed within 250 hours following the initial inspection. This directive is applicable nationally, extending its reach across the Commonwealth of Australia, and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), represented by the delegate David Alan Villiers.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 specifies certain actions that must be taken for the Israel Aircraft Industries 1125 (Astra) Series Aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers ranging from 085 to 112.5/2001. This directive mandates initial and repetitive inspections and any necessary rework of the Horizontal Stabiliser Lower Scissors Attachment Bolt Holes to ensure the countersink angle is correct (AD/IAI-A/6). If the countersink angle is found to be correct during the initial inspection, no further action is required. However, if the angle is incorrect, the attachment bolt heads must be repetitively inspected at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of Time in Service (TIS), starting after the initial inspection. If the countersink angle remains incorrect, it must be reworked according to the instructions provided in the requirement document, which terminates the need for further repetitive inspections once the rework is completed. The AD imposes several obligations on the parties governed by it. Firstly, it mandates that all specified Astra SPX aircraft undergo an initial inspection within 30 hours of Time in Service after 17 May 2001 to verify the countersink angle of the Horizontal Stabiliser Lower Scissors Attachment Bolt Holes. Secondly, repetitive inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 50 hours TIS, starting after the initial inspection. Thirdly, any rework required to correct an incorrect countersink angle must be completed within 250 hours TIS after the initial inspection. These inspections and any necessary rework must follow the detailed instructions and criteria outlined in the Astra Alert Service bulletin 1125-55A-192 Revision 1. Failure to comply with the AD may result in serious safety implications, as an incorrect countersink angle can lead to premature failure of the bolts, thereby compromising the aircraft's airworthiness. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state specific penalties for non-compliance with this AD, non-compliance with regulations governing airworthiness directives generally can lead to severe consequences. These can include civil penalties, enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), and in severe cases, criminal charges. Such non-compliance could also result in the grounding of the affected aircraft until the required actions are satisfactorily completed, potentially causing significant operational disruptions and financial losses.