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.
Consolidated Aeronautics, Colonial and LA-4 Series Aeroplanes
AD/LA-4/27 Wing Spar Doublers and Spar Cap Angles 13/2002
DM
Applicability: Affected aircraft with wing spar part numbers incorporated, as specified below:
Model | Serial Numbers |
Model LA-4 | Serial numbers 246 through 421, 423 through 429, 445, and 446. |
Model LA-4A | Serial numbers 244 and 245. |
Model LA-4P | Serial number 121. |
Model LA-4-200 | Serial numbers 422, 430 through 444, 446 and subsequent. |
Model 250 | Serial numbers 1 through 232. |
Wing Spar Parts | Part Numbers |
Upper Spar Cap Angles | 2-1610-015 and 2-1610-016 |
Lower Spar Cap Angles | 2-1610-075 and 2-1610-076 |
Upper Spar Doublers | 2-1610-061 and 2-1610-081 and 2-1610-065 |
Lower Spar Doublers | 2-1610-063 and 2-1610-083 |
Requirement: 1. Inspect the wing spar doublers and spar cap angles for cracks from the root end to the outboard of the wing spar attachment fittings, as follows:
- From inside the wheel well, clean the upper and lower wing spar doublers and adjoining structure to the paint. Use a detergent or mineral-based solvent.
- Use a strong light source and a 3x magnifying glass to inspect the exposed areas of the upper and lower spar doublers and adjoining structure for cracks. Use a mirror to inspect the exposed edge of the spar cap angle behind the doubler.
Consolidated Aeronautics, Colonial and LA-4 Series Aeroplanes
AD/LA-4/27 (Continued)
2. Replace any doubler or angle found cracked during the inspections required by Requirement 1. Replace with new parts that incorporate the same part numbers or FAA-approved equivalent part numbers.
Note: FAA AD 2002-21-05 Amdt 39-12911 refers.
Compliance: Upon accumulating 25 hours time in service after incorporating Modification B-79 (as required by AD/LA-4/26 Amdt 1), or within 10 hours time in service after 13 November 2002, whichever occurs later; unless already accomplished.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 13 November 2002.
Background: The FAA received a report of a crack at the most outboard wing attachment fitting hole on one of the affected aircraft with Modification Kit B-79 incorporated. The actions required by this Directive are intended prevent wing spar failure caused by cracks in the wing spar doublers or angles.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 7 November 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 13 November 2002.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/LA-4/27 was enacted in 2002 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety concerns identified in certain Consolidated Aeronautics, Colonial, and LA-4 Series Aeroplanes. The directive was prompted by a report of a crack at the most outboard wing attachment fitting hole in an affected aircraft, raising the risk of wing spar failure due to cracks in the wing spar doublers or angles. This AD aims to mitigate such risks by mandating specific inspections and, where necessary, replacements of the wing spar doublers and spar cap angles. The directive applies to specific models and serial numbers of the affected aircraft, and it requires compliance within certain time frames post-modification or from the directive's issuance date. This legislative instrument ensures that these aircraft meet required safety standards, thereby protecting public safety and maintaining airworthiness.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Consolidated Aeronautics, Colonial, and LA-4 Series Aeroplanes with certain wing spar part numbers and serial numbers. The directive mandates inspections and repairs to the wing spar doublers and spar cap angles to prevent wing spar failure due to cracks. It applies to aircraft with specific wing spar part numbers and serial numbers, including LA-4, LA-4A, LA-4P, LA-4-200, and Model 250 aircraft. The directive is intended to be enforced upon accumulating 25 hours time in service after incorporating Modification B-79 or within 10 hours time in service after 13 November 2002, whichever occurs later. The AD extends its applicability nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, and it becomes effective on 13 November 2002. This AD does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds but requires compliance with the stipulated inspections and repairs to ensure airworthiness.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/LA-4/27 mandates that certain specified aircraft undergo inspections and, if necessary, repairs to their wing spar doublers and spar cap angles. The AD applies to specific models and serial numbers of Consolidated Aeronautics, Colonial, and LA-4 series aeroplanes (section 1). The requirement (section 2) is that aircraft owners or operators must inspect the wing spar doublers and spar cap angles for cracks, using specified cleaning and inspection methods. Any doublers or angles found to be cracked must be replaced with new parts that match the original part numbers or are FAA-approved equivalents. These actions are intended to prevent wing spar failure caused by cracks in the wing spar doublers or angles (section 1). The compliance section (section 3) specifies that the actions required by this AD must be completed within 10 hours after 13 November 2002, or after 25 hours of service following Modification B-79, whichever occurs later. The AD becomes effective on 13 November 2002 (section 3).
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Firstly, it mandates that affected aircraft must be inspected for cracks in the specified parts. This involves cleaning the relevant areas, inspecting them for cracks using a magnifying glass and a strong light source, and using mirrors to inspect areas that are difficult to see directly. Secondly, if any cracks are found during the inspection, the defective parts must be replaced with new ones that meet the specified criteria. These obligations are intended to ensure the airworthiness of the aircraft by preventing potential structural failures. The AD also provides specific instructions on how to conduct the inspection and what actions to take if cracks are found, thereby ensuring a standardised approach to addressing the issue.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive can lead to significant legal and safety consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the AD itself, under Australian aviation law, non-compliance with ADs can result in severe penalties, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. In the most serious cases, non-compliance could lead to prosecution, resulting in criminal penalties. The severity of the penalties reflects the importance of adhering to ADs to maintain the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. The AD also underscores the importance of timely compliance by specifying a compliance deadline and highlighting the need for immediate action to prevent unsafe conditions.