AD/MSR/12 - Elevator Control Rod - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, form the backbone of aviation safety regulation in Australia. Specifically, PART 39 - 105 within these Regulations addresses the issue of ensuring that aircraft are maintained to an airworthy standard. This part was introduced to fill a critical gap in maintaining safety and reliability in civil aviation operations by providing detailed directives for the maintenance and inspection of aircraft. The policy objective of these regulations is to ensure that all aircraft are maintained to an airworthy condition, thereby protecting the safety of passengers, crew, and the general public. The authority to enact such regulations lies with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which operates under the oversight of the Australian Parliament to ensure compliance with national and international aviation safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, mandate that the Airworthiness Directives apply to all Aerospatiale Rallye Series Aeroplanes that have not been modified in accordance with Rallye Service Bulletin No. 85. This legislation is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and has a national reach across Australia, impacting all entities and individuals involved in the operation and maintenance of these specific aircraft models. The directive requires an inspection of the elevator control rod within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1971, with subsequent inspections required at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. The application of this directive is pivotal in ensuring the ongoing airworthiness of the affected aircraft, contributing to the safety and integrity of civil aviation operations in Australia.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish a schedule of airworthiness directives that govern the maintenance and safety standards of aircraft. One such directive, AD/MSR/12, pertains to the Aerospatiale Rallye Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the elevator control rod inspection (Section 8/71). This directive applies to all models of these aeroplanes that have not been modified according to Rallye Service Bulletin No. 85. Under this directive, the main requirement is that the elevator control rod must be inspected within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1971. Following the initial inspection, further inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service (Section 8/71). This ongoing inspection regime ensures that the elevator control rod remains in a safe and operational condition, thereby maintaining the overall airworthiness of the aircraft. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and precise. Operators of the Aerospatiale Rallye Series Aeroplanes must ensure that the elevator control rod inspections are conducted by qualified personnel in accordance with the specified intervals. The compliance must be documented, and records must be kept to demonstrate adherence to the regulatory requirements. Failure to comply with these obligations could lead to serious safety implications and potential legal repercussions. Failure to adhere to the provisions of AD/MSR/12 can result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement actions against operators who do not comply with the airworthiness directives. Such actions can include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and even criminal charges in cases of gross negligence or willful disregard of safety regulations. The maximum penalties for non-compliance can vary, but they are designed to ensure that operators take the necessary steps to maintain the safety and airworthiness of their aircraft.