COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Gates Learjet 35 and 36 Series Aeroplanes
AD/LEARJET 35/23
Amdt 2
Flap System and Flap Sector Mounting Brackets
1/87
Applicability: All models Learjet with serial numbers listed in Requirement Document. Requirement: Modify in accordance with Gates Learjet SB AMK 86-4.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, within 100 hours time in service or at the next inspection for Maintenance Release issue after 31 January 1987 whichever is later.
Background: This Directive was initially issued due to cracking of the flap sector mounting brackets. A repetitive inspection was later included because of further cracking after inspection. This amendment now requires modification using steel sector mounting brackets and deletes the repetitive inspection.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establishes the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to issue airworthiness directives, with AD/LEARJET 35/23 Amendment 2 being a pertinent example. This directive addresses issues related to the Gates Learjet 35 and 36 series aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the flap system and flap sector mounting brackets. Initially enacted to address the problem of cracking in the flap sector mounting brackets, the directive was further amended to incorporate modifications using steel sector mounting brackets and to eliminate the need for repetitive inspections. The overarching policy objective is to ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft models.
The directive was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, acting under the authority delegated by the Australian Parliament in the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The aim is to mitigate risks associated with structural failures in the flap system, thereby enhancing the safety of civil aviation operations. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for all applicable Learjet models, with a requirement to modify the specified components within 100 hours of time in service or at the next inspection for maintenance release, following 31 January 1987.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/LEARJET 35/23 Amendment 2, which applies to all models of the Learjet with specific serial numbers outlined in the Requirement Document. This legislation mandates that modifications be made to the flap system and flap sector mounting brackets in accordance with Gates Learjet Service Bulletin AMK 86-4. The directive applies to the safety of all aircraft within its scope, and compliance must be achieved either within 100 hours of time in service or at the next inspection for Maintenance Release issue following 31 January 1987, whichever occurs later. This regulation was initially prompted by incidents of cracking in the flap sector mounting brackets, with subsequent repetitive inspections revealing further cracking. The amendment now removes the requirement for repetitive inspections and instead mandates the use of steel sector mounting brackets to address the issue. The AD is a regulatory instrument issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, and while it is a Commonwealth regulation, its application is nationwide, affecting all relevant aircraft operations within Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, detail the requirements for the Gates Learjet 35 and 36 Series Aeroplanes. According to AD/LEARJET 35/23 Amendment 2, all models of Learjet with serial numbers specified in the Requirement Document are required to undergo modifications to the flap system and flap sector mounting brackets (Section 1). This modification must be carried out in accordance with Gates Learjet Service Bulletin AMK 86-4 (Section 2).
Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved within a specific timeframe. The directive specifies that the required modifications must be completed unless they have already been performed, within 100 hours of time in service, or at the next inspection for Maintenance Release issued after 31 January 1987, whichever is later (Section 3). This ensures that all applicable aircraft are brought up to the required safety standards without unnecessary delays.
The obligations imposed by this directive include a clear requirement for all affected operators of Learjet 35 and 36 series aeroplanes to inspect their aircraft and ensure that the modifications are carried out in accordance with the specified service bulletin. This includes verifying that the aircraft meet the serial number criteria outlined in the Requirement Document and ensuring that the modifications are completed within the specified timeframe (Section 4). Failure to comply with these obligations may result in serious safety implications.
Breaching the provisions of this directive can have significant consequences. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly outline the penalties for non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives, failure to adhere to these safety requirements can result in serious civil or criminal penalties under other sections of the Act. Non-compliance can lead to aircraft being grounded, which can result in significant operational disruptions and financial losses. In severe cases, where non-compliance is found to have contributed to an accident or incident, criminal charges can be pursued against individuals or entities responsible for the oversight of the aircraft (Section 5).