COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes
AD/M20/24
Amdt 2
Main Spar 11/95
Applicability: All models except M20J and subsequent, which have exceeded 5 years time in service.
Requirement: Drain the fuel tanks, remove the fuel tank inspection panels, and inspect the main spar structure for signs of corrosion particularly in the area of the web stiffeners.
Compliance: Before 30 September 1976, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3 calendar years.
The Compliance of the initial issue of this Directive remains unchanged. This Amendment is effective from 12 October 1995.
Background: The investigation of a fuel leak in a local aircraft revealed a severely corroded main spar web.
Amendment 1 excluded J and K models from applicability. These models are a later build standard and no reports of spar corrosion have been received.
Amendment 2 is issued to expand applicability to exclude all later models.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Australian Parliament to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. Within this extensive regulatory framework, Part 39 - 105 addresses Airworthiness Directives, specifically targeting aircraft safety. The Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes AD/M20/24 Amendment 2, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, was introduced to address the identified problem of corrosion in the main spar structure of Mooney M20 series aeroplanes, particularly focusing on areas like the web stiffeners. This amendment aims to enhance safety by mandating regular inspections and maintenance to prevent structural failures due to corrosion. The policy objective is to mitigate potential risks to flight safety by ensuring that older models of the Mooney M20 series are periodically inspected and maintained according to the specified requirements.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the legislative instrument F2006B11231, govern the safety directives for aircraft, including the Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Specifically, Airworthiness Directive AD/M20/24 Amendment 2 pertains to the inspection of the main spar structure for signs of corrosion, particularly in the area of the web stiffeners, for all Mooney M20 models except the M20J and subsequent models that have exceeded 5 years of time in service. This regulation applies to aircraft operators and maintenance personnel who must ensure compliance with the directive. The directive mandates draining of the fuel tanks and removal of the fuel tank inspection panels for the inspection. Compliance with the inspection is required before 30 September 1976, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3 calendar years. This directive applies nationally, ensuring uniform safety standards across Australia, and is enforced by CASA. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions, and the directive applies to all relevant aircraft within the specified parameters.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, details the requirements for airworthiness directives under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes are subject to Airworthiness Directive AD/M20/24 Amendment 2 (AD/M20/24 Amdt 2), which mandates regular inspections of the main spar structure for signs of corrosion. This requirement applies to all models except the M20J and subsequent models that have exceeded five years in service (section 11/95). The directive requires the inspection to be conducted by draining the fuel tanks, removing the fuel tank inspection panels, and focusing on the area of the web stiffeners (section 11/95). Compliance with this directive must be achieved before 30 September 1976 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding three calendar years.
The obligations imposed by this directive are stringent and must be adhered to by all operators of the specified Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes. Operators must ensure that the inspection procedures outlined in the directive are followed meticulously, particularly in the areas identified as prone to corrosion. This includes the complete draining of fuel tanks and the removal of inspection panels to allow for a thorough examination of the main spar structure. Operators must also maintain records of these inspections and ensure that any identified issues are promptly addressed and resolved in accordance with the relevant maintenance standards and procedures.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in AD/M20/24 Amdt 2 can result in serious civil and criminal consequences. Operators who do not adhere to the inspection and maintenance schedule may face penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections and repairs are completed. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the importance of strict adherence to the airworthiness directive and the need for operators to ensure their aircraft meet all regulatory requirements to maintain safe operation standards.