AD/M20/12 - Rudder Seals - Installation

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Australian Government to provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations addresses airworthiness directives to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft operating in Australian airspace. One such directive, AD/M20/12, was introduced to address a safety issue concerning the rudder seals on Mooney M20 Series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all model M20F aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 670001 to 670362, requiring compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 7 September 1967. The policy objective of this directive, as with all airworthiness directives, is to mitigate safety risks by mandating specific maintenance actions to ensure that the affected aircraft continue to meet the required airworthiness standards. This legislative instrument is enacted by the Parliament of Australia and is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to ensure adherence and compliance across the aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/M20/12 applies specifically to Mooney M20F series aeroplanes with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 670001 to 670362. This legislative instrument mandates the installation of rudder seals on these aircraft as outlined in Mooney Service Bulletin No. M20-148. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service following the directive's issuance date of 7 September 1967. The AD is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, aligning with the broader scope of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. This legislation ensures that the specified aircraft meet necessary safety standards, thereby regulating the conduct and operations within the aviation industry concerning these particular Mooney M20F aeroplanes. The directive does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, indicating that all applicable aircraft must adhere to the outlined requirements.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives for certain aircraft, with a focus on Mooney M20 Series aeroplanes under AD/M20/12. This directive pertains to the installation of rudder seals on model M20F aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 670001 to 670362 (section 9/67). According to Mooney Service Bulletin No. M20-148, the requirement for compliance with this directive must be fulfilled within 100 hours of time in service after 7 September 1967. Under this legislation, the entities responsible for ensuring compliance with the AD/M20/12 directive are primarily the aircraft owners and operators. They must adhere to the specified timeline for installing the rudder seals as outlined in the Mooney Service Bulletin No. M20-148. The directive aims to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected Mooney M20F aeroplanes by addressing potential safety concerns associated with the rudder seals. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/M20/12 can result in serious consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the extract, under the broader Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions. These actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, or other administrative penalties. Additionally, non-compliance could result in criminal charges if the failure to adhere to the directive is deemed to have caused or contributed to an aviation accident or incident. In summary, AD/M20/12 under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 mandates that Mooney M20F aeroplanes with specified serial numbers must have their rudder seals installed within 100 hours of time in service following 7 September 1967. Aircraft owners and operators bear the responsibility of ensuring compliance with this directive to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to significant penalties, including administrative fines and potential criminal charges if related to an aviation incident.