COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes
AD/MU-2/14 Engine Nacelle Upper Door Latches - Inspection 1/76
Applicability: All models.
Document: Mitsubishi SB No. 171.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 27 February 1976.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework governing civil aviation in Australia. The regulations encompass a broad range of aviation safety standards, including airworthiness directives such as AD/MU-2/14, which mandates inspections of engine nacelle upper door latches for Mitsubishi MU-2 Series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to ensure that all models comply with specified safety standards, as outlined in Mitsubishi Service Bulletin No. 171, within 100 hours of time in service following 27 February 1976. The primary policy objective of these regulations is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation by setting stringent airworthiness criteria and enforcing compliance through authoritative directives.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes and mandates Airworthiness Directives through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This legislative instrument, AD/MU-2/14, focuses on the inspection of the engine nacelle upper door latches and applies to all models of the Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after 27 February 1976, as outlined in Mitsubishi Service Bulletin No. 171. The directive is intended to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft by addressing specific safety concerns related to the engine nacelle upper door latches, thereby enhancing safety standards in civil aviation within Australia's jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes detailed instructions regarding the maintenance and safety of Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes (AD/MU-2/14). This particular directive focuses on the engine nacelle upper door latches, mandating an inspection within 100 hours of time in service after 27 February 1976. The directive refers to Mitsubishi Service Bulletin No. 171 for compliance guidelines (Section 1/76).
Under this regulation, the primary obligation on operators of Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes is to conduct a thorough inspection of the engine nacelle upper door latches. This inspection must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after the specified date of 27 February 1976, ensuring that all safety standards are met to maintain airworthiness. Operators are also required to document the inspection and any findings or actions taken, maintaining these records for future reference and audits by CASA.
Failure to comply with this directive can lead to significant consequences. Non-compliance with the inspection requirement may result in penalties imposed by CASA, which could include fines or other enforcement actions. Additionally, continued operation of the aircraft without ensuring compliance could potentially lead to safety hazards, which might result in more severe penalties under the broader aviation safety regulations. While the exact penalties are not specified in this directive, they are outlined in other parts of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, where breaches of safety directives can lead to substantial fines and potential grounding of the aircraft.