Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, including AD/ML-M4/18, which was enacted to address safety concerns with the Maule M-4 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was issued in response to reports of cable slipping from the nicopress sleeve on control cables, a problem traced back to an incorrectly set tool used by Maule. The policy objective is to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft by mandating specific corrective actions to mitigate identified safety risks. This Airworthiness Directive became effective on 13 July 2000, requiring Maule M-4 aircraft owners and operators to take corrective action within 100 hours of the directive's effective date, as detailed in Maule Service Bulletin No. 20 dated 27 December 1999.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to all Maule M-4 series aeroplanes, irrespective of their model and serial numbers. The directive mandates corrective action to address an identified unsafe condition concerning the nicopress sleeves on control cables, as detailed in Maule Service Bulletin No. 20 dated 27 December 1999. This action must be carried out within 100 hours of the AD's effective date, which is 13 July 2000. The AD was issued by the delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Bernard Malcolm Hole, on 1 June 2000, and was subsequently notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 June 2000. This directive is a regulatory measure to ensure the airworthiness of Maule M-4 series aeroplanes, ensuring compliance with safety standards to prevent incidents related to cable slippage from the nicopress sleeves.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive AD/ML-M4/18, issued under section 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, applies to all Maule M-4 series aeroplanes. The directive mandates specific actions to address an identified safety issue related to the nicopress sleeves on control cables. The requirement section of the AD (section 2) specifies that the action must align with the instructions detailed in Maule Service Bulletin No. 20 dated 27 December 1999, with reference to FAA AD 2000-09-06. The directive becomes effective on 13 July 2000, and the required actions must be undertaken within 100 hours of the aircraft being in service after this date. The AD imposes obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to ensure compliance with the specified actions regarding the nicopress sleeves on control cables. Operators must ensure that the identified actions are implemented by qualified personnel within the stipulated timeframe to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Maintenance personnel are required to follow the detailed instructions in Maule Service Bulletin No. 20 to address the cable slipping issue. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy. Non-compliance with the Airworthiness Directive AD/ML-M4/18 can result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to take enforcement actions against operators who fail to adhere to the directive. Such actions may include grounding of the affected aircraft, fines, or other administrative penalties. Furthermore, any resultant accidents or incidents arising from non-compliance could lead to criminal charges, with potential penalties including imprisonment, particularly if the non-compliance is found to be a contributing factor to an accident. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to safety standards to prevent potential hazards associated with the identified issue.