Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted to regulate the safety standards in civil aviation, include a provision under Part 39 - 105 concerning airworthiness directives. One such directive, AD/IAI-W/3, pertains specifically to Israel Aircraft Industries 1123 and 1124 (Westwind) Series Aeroplanes, addressing issues related to floor bolts near the fuselage station 269. This directive was introduced to address the potential problem of bolts being omitted during the manufacturing process, as advised by the manufacturer. The objective of this regulation is to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating inspections and necessary installations within 150 hours of time in service after 30 November 1980. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 are overseen by the Commonwealth of Australia, and the policy objective behind AD/IAI-W/3 is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring that all critical structural components, such as floor bolts, are correctly installed and maintained. This regulatory measure is part of a broader effort to uphold the highest safety standards in civil aviation, thereby protecting both passengers and crew.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to the Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) 1123 and 1124 (Westwind) series aeroplanes, focusing on the floor bolts near Fuselage Station 269. This legislation mandates the inspection and installation of these bolts on all model 1124 aircraft with serial numbers 240 to 260, 262, 263, 264, and 266. Compliance with this directive is required within 150 hours of time in service after 30 November 1980, as per IAI Service Bulletin No. 1124-53-02. The regulation ensures that any omissions of these critical bolts during the manufacturing process are addressed to maintain the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft. This directive is applicable nationwide under the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The legislation does not explicitly mention exclusions or exemptions, implying a broad application across the specified fleet.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39, Section 105, establish a schedule of airworthiness directives (ADs) that must be adhered to for specific aircraft types. In this instance, Airworthiness Directive AD/IAI-W/3 pertains to Israel Aircraft Industries 1123 and 1124 (Westwind) series aeroplanes, focusing on the inspection and installation of floor bolts near fuselage station 269. Specifically, this directive applies to all model 1124 aircraft with serial numbers 240 to 260, 262, 263, 264, and 266. The directive references IAI SB No. 1124-53-02 for compliance instructions and mandates that the required inspections and installations be completed within 150 hours of time in service after 30 November 1980. The obligations under this directive include conducting a thorough inspection of the floor bolts near fuselage station 269 to ensure that none were omitted during manufacture. If any bolts are found to be missing, they must be installed as per the instructions provided in IAI SB No. 1124-53-02. Compliance must be achieved within the specified timeframe of 150 hours of flight time after the date mentioned. Operators of these aircraft must ensure that their maintenance records reflect adherence to this AD to avoid any potential safety issues. Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in AD/IAI-W/3 may result in serious safety hazards, potentially leading to structural failure of the aircraft. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement action against operators who do not adhere to these requirements. The potential consequences can include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate, or other regulatory penalties. The exact penalties are determined based on the severity of the non-compliance and the risk posed to aviation safety. Ensuring timely compliance with this directive is critical for maintaining the airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft.