AD/ML-M4/13 - Horizontal Tail to Fuselage Front Attach Tubes - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, aim to ensure safety and efficiency in civil aviation. Among its various parts, Part 39, specifically Airworthiness Directives, plays a crucial role in maintaining aircraft safety standards. One such directive, AD/ML-M4/13, pertains to the Maule M-4 Series Aeroplanes, addressing a potential safety issue with the horizontal tail to fuselage front attach tubes. This directive was introduced to address a specific problem identified in the Maule M-4 series aeroplanes, where there was a possibility of cracks developing in the fuselage tube that attaches the front point of the horizontal tail. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure that inspections and necessary modifications are carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 31 October 1979, thereby mitigating the risk of structural failure.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives applies to all M-4 series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers as referenced in Maule Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin No. 1. This particular directive mandates the inspection and modification of the horizontal tail to fuselage front attach tubes to address a potential cracking issue. The directive is applicable to all M-4 series aeroplanes that have been in service for more than 100 hours since 31 October 1979, unless the required modifications have already been completed. The geographic reach of this directive is national, impacting all operators within Australia. The directive does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, and compliance is mandatory for the specified aircraft within the stipulated timeframe. The application of this directive may be further detailed or extended through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The primary sections of AD/ML-M4/13 mandate that all Maule M-4 series aeroplanes, as specified in the Maule Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin No. 1, undergo an inspection and possible modification to the horizontal tail to fuselage front attach tubes (section 1). This requirement applies to all Maule M-4 series aeroplanes with serial numbers as referenced in the aforementioned service bulletin. The compliance deadline is set for 100 hours of time in service after 31 October 1979, unless the inspection and modification have already been completed (section 2). This directive aims to address a potential safety issue where the fuselage tube attaching the front point of the horizontal tail may be cracked. The obligations imposed by this Airworthiness Directive require the aircraft operator or owner to ensure that the inspection and, if necessary, the modification are performed by a certified repair facility or a qualified individual in accordance with the detailed instructions provided in the Maule Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin No. 1. The operator or owner must maintain records of the inspection and any modifications carried out, ensuring that these records are accessible for review by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority upon request (section 3). Failure to comply with this directive could result in the aeroplane being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding of the aircraft. Non-compliance with AD/ML-M4/13 may result in significant legal and operational consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, failure to adhere to an Airworthiness Directive can lead to civil penalties, including fines and potential revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness (section 4). In severe cases, operators or owners may face criminal charges, which could result in imprisonment. The specific penalties for breaches of these regulations are not explicitly stated in the directive but can be significant under the broader framework of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (section 5).