COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Maule M-4 Series Aeroplanes
AD/ML-M4/15
Amdt 4
Retirement Life of Fatigue Critical Components 12/88 DM
Applicability: All Models.
Requriement: 1. Remove wing lift strut forks and inspect for cracking using a magnetic particle technique in accordance with ANO 108.8.
2. Retire wing lift strut forks from service.
3. Install placards reading NO STEP in letters at least 25 mm high on the left and right wing struts, either by painting or by the use of durable adhesive labels, in a colour contrasting to the strut colour, the lettering to commence approximately 150 mm from the bottom of the struts and be oriented so that it can be read when looking in a forward direction with respect to the aeroplane. For those aircraft which have a fairing over the front and rear strut lower ends a single placard on the fairing will suffice, otherwise both struts must be placarded.
Note: The standard M4 series forks have a 7/16 inch threaded shank diameter. Some aircraft have been retrofitted with M5 series struts which have forks with a 1/2 inch threaded shank. The M5 type forks are exempt from the requirements of this Directive, however it is recommended that the “NO STEP” placards be retained for consistency and as an additional safeguard against accidental damage.
Compliance: For Para 1 - Prior to achieving 200 hours component time in service or three years after initial installation whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 500 hours component time in service. For aircraft which have exceeded these limits, perform the initial inspection within 100 hours time in service after 30 November 1986.
For Para 2 - Retire wing lift strut forks prior to the accumulation of 1000 hours component time in service or within 200 hours time in service after 30 November 1986, whichever occurs later.
For Para 3 - Within 100 hours time in service after 30 November 1986.
Background: Service experience with forks on other aircraft types indicates the possibility of fatigue failure. The heavier M5 type forks are exempt from the requirements. This Amendment deletes the life limitation previously placed on the wing, on the basis of data received from the manufacturer which shows that wing fatigue failure is unlikely within the economic life of the airframe.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia, and are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This legislative instrument, F2006B11284, was introduced to address the problem of fatigue failure in the wing lift strut forks of Maule M-4 series aeroplanes. The policy objective of this specific amendment is to enhance safety by mandating inspections, retirement of critical components, and the installation of warning placards to prevent accidental damage to the struts. The directive requires that wing lift strut forks be inspected for cracking and retired after a certain number of hours in service, with placards installed to warn against stepping on the struts. The amendment was introduced following service experience indicating a risk of fatigue failure in these components, while also considering manufacturer data that suggests the airframe's economic life is unlikely to be compromised by wing fatigue failure.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which includes the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Maule M-4 Series Aeroplanes, applies to all models of this aircraft series. The scope of the regulations concerns the retirement life of fatigue critical components, namely the wing lift strut forks, to mitigate the risk of fatigue failure. These directives are mandated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and are enforceable across the Commonwealth of Australia, impacting all aircraft operators and maintenance personnel within its jurisdiction. The requirements include inspecting the wing lift strut forks for cracking, retiring them from service after a specified number of flight hours, and installing "NO STEP" placards to prevent accidental damage. Notably, the M5 series struts with a larger shank diameter are exempt from the inspection and retirement requirements but are recommended to retain the "NO STEP" placards for safety consistency. Compliance with these directives is mandatory for ensuring the continued airworthiness and safety of Maule M-4 Series Aeroplanes operating in Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39, Section 105, mandate specific airworthiness directives for Maule M-4 Series Aeroplanes, including Amendment 4 concerning the retirement life of fatigue critical components. Key provisions include the removal and inspection of wing lift strut forks for cracking (Section 1), the retirement of these forks from service (Section 2), and the installation of placards on the wing struts (Section 3). The directive applies to all Maule M-4 models, although M5 series forks are exempt from the inspection and retirement requirements, though placard installation is recommended.
These regulations impose specific obligations on aircraft owners and operators. For compliance, inspections must be conducted before the component reaches 200 hours of service or three years post-installation, whichever comes first, and at intervals not exceeding 500 hours thereafter. For aircraft already exceeding these initial limits, inspections must occur within 100 hours post-November 30, 1986. Wing lift strut forks must be retired before they accumulate 1000 hours of service or within 200 hours post-November 30, 1986, whichever is later. Additionally, placards must be installed within 100 hours after November 30, 1986. These measures aim to prevent fatigue failures, ensuring the continued safety of the aircraft.
Breach of these regulations can lead to significant civil and criminal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in severe penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Offences may include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity and intent of the breach. The exact penalties would be determined by the courts, taking into account the circumstances of each case. Operators must adhere strictly to these directives to avoid legal repercussions and ensure the continued airworthiness of their aircraft.