AD/M20/9 - Rudder Drain Hole - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, were established to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. One specific aspect of this legislation is found in Part 39 - 105, which pertains to Airworthiness Directives. This particular section addresses the safety of Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes, specifically focusing on a modification to the rudder drain hole. The Airworthiness Directive AD/M20/9, issued on 9 June 1967, applies to all model M20F aeroplanes with specific serial numbers, requiring compliance within 100 hours of time in service following the directive's issuance. This directive was created to address a specific safety concern identified in Mooney M20 Series aeroplanes, ensuring that these aircraft meet necessary safety standards to protect passengers and crew. The Mooney M20 Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive AD/M20/9 was introduced to rectify an issue identified in the rudder drain hole, which could potentially lead to safety risks. The policy objective behind this directive is to ensure the airworthiness of these specific aircraft models by mandating a modification to the rudder drain hole. This directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, acting under the authority of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, to ensure that the specified Mooney M20F aeroplanes are maintained in a safe and reliable condition. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to safety regulations and ensuring that all necessary modifications are implemented promptly to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, applies to the Mooney M20 Series aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers falling within the specified range. The Airworthiness Directive AD/M20/9 mandates the modification of rudder drain holes for Mooney M20F models with serial numbers 660003, 660004, and 670001 to 670030. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of the aeroplanes' time in service after 7 September 1967. The directive provides clear instructions, referencing Mooney Service Bulletin No. M20-149, to ensure that these modifications are performed correctly and promptly. The scope of the legislation is limited to the specified Mooney M20F models, ensuring that only these aircraft are subject to the outlined requirements. The directive's focus on a specific serial number range indicates that other Mooney M20 models are not affected by this particular airworthiness directive, which is strictly enforced by CASA to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, section 105, outline specific safety directives for certain aircraft models. One such directive, AD/M20/9, pertains to the Mooney M20 series aeroplanes, specifically addressing the rudder drain hole modification for model M20F with serial numbers ranging from 660003 to 660004 and from 670001 to 670030 (section 9/67). This directive mandates that a modification be made to the rudder drain hole in compliance with Mooney Service Bulletin No. M20-149. This must be accomplished within 100 hours of time in service following 7 September 1967. The Airworthiness Directive imposes clear obligations on the operators and owners of the specified Mooney M20F aircraft. They are required to ensure that the rudder drain hole modification is completed within the prescribed timeframe. Failure to comply with this directive may result in the aircraft being considered non-airworthy, which could lead to operational restrictions or grounding of the aircraft. Operators must maintain records of compliance and ensure that the modifications are performed by authorised personnel or facilities as specified in the relevant service bulletin. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Airworthiness Directive can lead to serious consequences. Operators who do not adhere to the specified timeframes for the rudder drain hole modification may face enforcement actions from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The authority can issue penalties for non-compliance, which may include fines and other regulatory sanctions. In severe cases, CASA has the power to suspend or revoke the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, effectively preventing the aircraft from operating until the required modifications are completed and verified. The exact penalties and consequences will depend on the specific circumstances and the degree of non-compliance.