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-2/23 Nose Landing Gear Retracting Mechanism - Inspection
11/81
Applicability: All models MU-2B/-10/-15/-20/-25/-26 with S/Nos. 005 to 347 except S/Nos. 313 and 321. All models MU-2B-30/-35/-36 with S/Nos. 501 to 696 (except S/Nos. 652
and 661).
Requirement: To prevent the possible failure of the NLG retracting mechanism perform the following:
1. Inspect the NLG retracting mechanism down lock system in accordance with Mitsubishi MU-2 SB No. 188 dated 13 July 1981.
Note: JCAB AD No. TCD-2070-81 refers.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, within 100 hours time in service after 30 September 1981.
Background: The nose landing gear down lock system may be improperly adjusted.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. One of the specific pieces of legislation within this framework is the Airworthiness Directive AD/MU-2/23 concerning the nose landing gear retracting mechanism inspection for Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the problem of potential failure in the nose landing gear down lock system, which could arise from improper adjustments. The policy objective behind this directive is to mandate regular inspections to prevent such failures, ensuring the continued safety of air travel. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for certain MU-2 models, requiring inspections to be completed within specified time frames to maintain airworthiness standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, apply to all individuals and entities involved in the operation, maintenance, and certification of aircraft within Australia, including the Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes specified in the Airworthiness Directive AD/MU-2/23. This directive applies to certain models of the MU-2B series with specific serial numbers, mandating a thorough inspection of the nose landing gear retracting mechanism to prevent potential failure. The regulation has a national reach, ensuring compliance across all Commonwealth territories and states. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this directive, and it is enforced through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with compliance required within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1981. The scope of the regulation is further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments as necessary to address emerging safety concerns or technological advancements.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, which includes the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically addresses the nose landing gear retracting mechanism of Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes. The relevant directive, AD/MU-2/23, mandates that certain models of the MU-2 series must undergo an inspection of their nose landing gear retracting mechanism to prevent possible failure (Part 39 - 105). This directive applies to all MU-2B/-10/-15/-20/-25/-26 models with serial numbers ranging from 005 to 347, with specific exceptions for serial numbers 313 and 321, as well as to MU-2B-30/-35/-36 models with serial numbers between 501 and 696, excluding serial numbers 652 and 661.
The primary requirement of this directive is that the nose landing gear retracting mechanism down lock system must be inspected in accordance with Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin No. 188 dated 13 July 1981. This inspection is crucial to ensure that the down lock system is properly adjusted and functioning correctly to prevent potential failures during operation (AD/MU-2/23). This action is referenced in JCAB AD No. TCD-2070-81, which further details the inspection procedures.
Operators and owners of the specified Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes must ensure that this inspection is conducted unless it has already been completed. The inspection must be carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1981. Failure to comply with this directive may result in non-compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which could lead to safety issues and potential grounding of the aircraft. The compliance requirement is clear and straightforward, placing the onus on the operator or owner to ensure that the inspection is carried out in a timely manner.
In terms of penalties, while the specific regulatory text does not detail specific civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance, the broader framework of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide for enforcement actions that could include fines, legal action, and potentially the suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can have severe consequences for aviation safety and operational legality, underscoring the importance of adhering to the stipulated requirements.