AD/MSR/32 - Nose Landing Gear - Wheel Axle

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. Within this comprehensive set of regulations, Part 39 specifically addresses the issuance of airworthiness directives to maintain the safety standards of aircraft. One such directive, AD/MSR/32, pertains to the nose landing gear wheel axle of Aerospatiale Rallye Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the problem of potential fatigue cracks in the nose landing gear wheel axle and the risk of bolt failure over time. The objective of this directive is to enhance the safety of these aircraft by mandating regular inspections and necessary replacements, as outlined in Socata Service Bulletin 150/2 Amendment 2. The directive requires specific inspections and re-inspections of the nose landing gear wheel axle at prescribed intervals to detect and mitigate any fatigue cracks. Additionally, it mandates the replacement of attaching bolts with new ones to ensure the structural integrity of the landing gear. This proactive approach aims to prevent any potential safety hazards that could arise from the failure of the nose landing gear, thereby maintaining the overall safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, apply to all Morane Saulnier and Rallye aeroplanes listed in Socata Service Bulletin 150/2 Amendment 2. This legislation mandates inspections and maintenance requirements for the nose landing gear wheel axle of these aircraft to ensure safety. The regulations apply on a Commonwealth level, and their geographic reach encompasses all such aircraft within Australia. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and includes removing and inspecting the nose landing gear wheel axle for cracks using dye penetrant, as well as replacing the axle attaching bolts at specified intervals. The inspections must be carried out before certain time-in-service thresholds are reached and re-inspected at intervals not exceeding 500 hours or 2000 hours, depending on the requirement. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions from these directives, and the application extends to all applicable aircraft without exceptions.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically addresses the airworthiness of the Aerospatiale Rallye Series Aeroplanes through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. The directive AD/MSR/32 focuses on the nose landing gear wheel axle of the Morane Saulnier and Rallye aeroplanes listed in Socata Service Bulletin 150/2 Amendment 2. The directive mandates two primary requirements to ensure the safety of these aircraft (AD/MSR/32). The first requirement is to remove the nose landing gear wheel axle and inspect it for cracks using dye penetrant, in accordance with Socata Service Bulletin 150/2 Amendment 2, Description, paragraph 1. The second requirement involves a more thorough inspection, where the axle is removed, inspected for cracks, and then reinstalled with new bolts, washers, and locknuts, again in accordance with Socata Service Bulletin 150/2 Amendment 2, Description, paragraph 2. This directive references DGAC AD 91-163(A)R2 for further guidance. The obligations under this directive require operators to conduct the specified inspections at designated intervals. For Requirement 1, inspections must occur before the aeroplane reaches 500 hours of time in service or within 50 hours of the directive's issuance date of 27 April 1995, whichever is later. Subsequent inspections must be carried out at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service. For Requirement 2, inspections must be completed before the aeroplane reaches 2000 hours of time in service or within 50 hours of the directive's issuance date, whichever is later. Following this initial inspection, re-inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 2000 hours of time in service. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/MSR/32 can lead to significant consequences. The directive does not explicitly state penalties or consequences for non-compliance, but non-compliance with CASA directives generally can result in civil or criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties can lead to imprisonment. Additionally, non-compliance can result in the grounding of the affected aircraft, thereby impacting operational safety and potentially leading to further regulatory action by CASA. Ensuring adherence to these airworthiness directives is critical for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft involved.