Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) are the primary piece of legislation governing aviation safety in Australia, enacted by the Australian Parliament. The CAR 1998 was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive and robust framework to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia's jurisdiction. This legislation is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is responsible for regulating the safety, efficiency, and environmental performance of Australia's civil aviation. The policy objective of CAR 1998 is to maintain and enhance the safety standards of civil aviation by setting out detailed regulations that govern aircraft operations, maintenance, and airworthiness. One specific instance of this legislative framework in action is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives, such as the one issued on 19 October 2000 concerning the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator of Israel Aircraft Industries 1123 and 1124 (Westwind) series aeroplanes. This directive was created in response to a safety concern identified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI), which highlighted the risk of loss of pitch control due to an incorrectly installed dust shield in the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator. The directive mandates that affected aircraft must undergo an inspection to ensure the correct installation of the tierod through the dust shield and both jackscrew assemblies, in accordance with specified service bulletins, within 25 flying hours of the directive's effective date.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all IAI 1121/1121A/1121B, 1123, and 1124/1124A series aircraft. This directive mandates an inspection of the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator to ensure the correct installation of the tierod through the dust shield and both jackscrew assemblies, as per Israel Aircraft Industries Alert Service Bulletins 1121-27A-028, 1123-27A-053, and 1124-27A-147. The requirement must be fulfilled within 25 flying hours from the effective date of the Airworthiness Directive, which is 25 October 2000. This directive applies to all relevant aircraft registered in Australia and operated under Australian jurisdiction, reflecting the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s commitment to ensuring the safe operation of aircraft within the Commonwealth. The directive extends its reach to cover any aircraft of the specified series, without specific exclusions or exemptions, unless otherwise noted in subordinate instruments or additional regulatory clarifications.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This AD, numbered AD/IAI-W/22, pertains to the Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) 1121/1121A/1121B, 1123, and 1124/1124A series aircraft. The AD mandates an inspection of the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator to ensure the correct installation of the tierod through the dust shield and both jackscrew assemblies, in accordance with specified Israel Aircraft Industries Alert Service Bulletins. This directive applies to all listed IAI aircraft models and must be complied with within 25 flying hours of the directive's effective date. The AD imposes a specific requirement on all owners and operators of IAI 1121/1121A/1121B, 1123, and 1124/1124A series aircraft. They are required to inspect the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator to confirm the correct installation of the tierod through the dust shield and both jackscrew assemblies. This inspection must be carried out following the instructions detailed in the relevant Israel Aircraft Industries Alert Service Bulletins, which are referenced in the AD. The inspection must be completed within 25 flying hours from the effective date of the directive, which is 25 October 2000. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this Airworthiness Directive may result in serious safety implications. The AD was issued in response to a safety concern identified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI), which highlighted that an incorrectly installed dust shield could jam the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator, potentially leading to a loss of pitch control. While the AD does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, non-compliance could potentially lead to significant safety risks and may be subject to enforcement actions by CASA. Operators and owners are therefore strongly advised to adhere strictly to the AD's requirements to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft.