COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes
AD/M20/36 Rear Spar Centre Splice - Inspection 5/79
Applicability: All model M20B with S/Nos. 1701 to 1851, 1853 to 1953. All model M20C with S/Nos. 1852, 1940-3342, 3344-3445, 3447-3466, 670001-670123, 670125-670134,
670136-670149 and 680001-680198. All model M20D with S/Nos. 101-260. All model M20E with S/Nos. 101-1219, 1221, 1223-1308, 670001-670062. All model
M20F with S/Nos. 660002-660004, 670001-670363, 670365-670385, 670367- 670482,670484-670539, 680001-680206. All model M20G with S/Nos.680001 to
680164.
Document: Mooney SB No. M20-217.
Compliance: Within 10 hours time in service for those aeroplanes which have achieved 500 hours time in service and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 500 hours time in service until modified in accordance with SB No. M20-217.
Background: There is a possibility of failure of the rear spar centre splice due to cracking and associated crack growth in service.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serve to regulate the safety and operational standards of civil aviation within the country. One such regulation, F2006B11240, specifically addresses the issue of airworthiness directives for Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the rear spar centre splice. This directive was introduced to address the potential problem of cracking and associated crack growth in the rear spar centre splice, which could compromise the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft. The objective of this regulation is to ensure that the specified Mooney M20 models are inspected and maintained according to the stipulated intervals to prevent such failures, thereby enhancing aviation safety.
This regulation applies to a range of Mooney M20 models with specific serial numbers, requiring inspections within 10 hours of time in service for those that have already accumulated 500 hours, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 500 hours until modifications as per Service Bulletin No. M20-217 are implemented. The regulation mandates adherence to these inspection intervals to mitigate the risk of structural failure in the rear spar centre splice, thus maintaining the airworthiness of the affected aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes Rear Spar Centre Splice Inspection applies specifically to certain Mooney M20 aircraft models, identified by their serial numbers, and mandates regular inspections to mitigate the risk of failure due to cracking and associated crack growth in the rear spar centre splice. This inspection directive is part of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Commonwealth of Australia. The scope of this directive encompasses all model M20B aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 1701 to 1851, and from 1853 to 1953, as well as specific serial number ranges for models M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, and M20G. The inspections must occur within 10 hours of time in service for those aeroplanes that have already accumulated 500 hours of time in service, and subsequently, the inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service until the aeroplanes are modified in accordance with Mooney Service Bulletin No. M20-217. This regulation applies across the Commonwealth of Australia and extends to all entities and individuals who operate these specified Mooney M20 models within the national airspace.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This particular directive, AD/M20/36, pertains to the Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes and mandates a specific inspection for the rear spar centre splice. The directive applies to all model M20B aircraft with serial numbers (S/Nos) ranging from 1701 to 1851 and 1853 to 1953, all model M20C aircraft with S/Nos ranging from 1852 to 680198, all model M20D aircraft with S/Nos 101 to 260, all model M20E aircraft with S/Nos 101 to 1308 and 670001 to 670062, all model M20F aircraft with S/Nos 660002 to 680206, and all model M20G aircraft with S/Nos 680001 to 680164. The inspection requirement is detailed in Mooney SB No. M20-217 and must be carried out within 10 hours of time in service for aircraft that have accumulated 500 hours of time in service, and subsequently, at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service until modifications are made in accordance with SB No. M20-217.
The directive imposes specific obligations on the operators of the affected aircraft. These obligations include ensuring that the rear spar centre splice inspection is performed by qualified personnel in accordance with the requirements outlined in Mooney SB No. M20-217. Operators must keep detailed records of all inspections and any modifications made to the aircraft, which must be readily available for inspection by CASA. The inspections must be conducted meticulously to detect any signs of cracking or crack growth that could compromise the structural integrity of the rear spar centre splice.
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/M20/36 can result in significant legal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can lead to enforcement actions. The maximum penalties for contravening these regulations can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The specific penalties are determined by the severity of the breach and may also include the potential grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections and modifications are completed. Operators must ensure strict adherence to the directive to avoid these severe repercussions.