AD/LEARJET/34 - Flap Attachment Fittings

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contains the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which was enacted by the Australian Government to ensure the safety and reliability of civil aviation operations. This piece of legislation was introduced to address safety issues and ensure the continuing airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/LEARJET/34, concerns Gates Learjet 24 & 25 series aeroplanes, identifying a problem with cracking of the flap attachment fittings, which may lead to an asymmetric flap condition. The policy objective is to mandate inspections in accordance with the Gates Learjet Service Bulletin 24/25-333, ensuring compliance within 200 hours of time in service after 30 September 1986. This directive was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all model Learjet 24 and 25 aeroplanes with specified serial numbers. The regulation mandates that these aircraft undergo an inspection in accordance with Gates Learjet Service Bulletin 24/25-333 to address the issue of cracking in the flap attachment fittings. The requirement is that the inspection must be carried out within 200 hours of time in service following 30 September 1986, to mitigate the risk of asymmetric flap conditions that may arise from failure of the flap attachment fittings. This directive underscores the importance of maintaining the structural integrity of the aircraft to ensure safety in operation. While the directive applies specifically to the mentioned Learjet models and serial numbers, it is part of a broader framework that may extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, address the maintenance and safety of Gates Learjet 24 and 25 series aeroplanes. The directive AD/LEARJET/34 pertains to the flap attachment fittings of these aircraft. The applicability of this directive is limited to Learjet 24 models with serial numbers 24-328 to 24-357, and Learjet 25 models with serial numbers 25-135, 25-188, and 25-205 to 25-367. The primary requirement under this directive is to inspect the flap attachment fittings in accordance with Gates Learjet Service Bulletin 24/25-333. Compliance with this inspection requirement must be achieved within 200 hours of time in service after 30 September 1986. Operators of the affected Learjet 24 and 25 series aeroplanes are obligated to conduct these inspections to ensure the integrity of the flap attachment fittings. This inspection is crucial as the regulations recognise the potential for cracking in these fittings, which could lead to an asymmetric flap condition. Such a condition poses a significant risk to the aircraft’s operational safety, hence the stringent requirement for timely inspection. Failure to comply with this directive may result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, potentially leading to grounding until the necessary inspections and repairs are completed. Non-compliance with the AD/LEARJET/34 directive can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations impose both civil and potential criminal penalties for breaches of airworthiness directives. Civil penalties can include fines and other sanctions that the Civil Aviation Safety Authority may impose. In more severe cases, where non-compliance is found to have caused or contributed to an accident or incident, the consequences could extend to criminal charges against the responsible parties, including individuals and corporations. The maximum penalties can be substantial, reflecting the gravity of compromising aviation safety. It is imperative for operators to adhere to these regulations to avoid such adverse outcomes.