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-2/26 Control Cable Turnbuckles - Inspection
and Replacement
11/83
Applicability: All models MU-2B/-10/-15/-20/-25/-26 : S/Nos. up thru 347 (except S/Nos. 313, 321.)
All models Mu-2B-30/-35/-36 : S/Nos. up thru 696 (except S/Nos. 652, 661.) Document: Mitsubishi MU-2 S.B. No. 184.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished within 200 hours time in service after 30th November 1983.
Background: Stress corrosion cracking has been found in some P/No. MS21251B3L and MS21251BS turnbuckles manufactured by Teledyne Inet. in 1971.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address the safety and maintenance of aircraft through Airworthiness Directives. This legislative instrument, F2006B11355, was introduced to address the problem of stress corrosion cracking in certain control cable turnbuckles of Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes. This was enacted to ensure that the identified aircraft models meet the necessary safety standards to mitigate the risk of in-flight failures due to structural weaknesses. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure compliance and safety in the operation of these aircraft. The policy objective is to mandate regular inspections and replacements of the affected turnbuckles to prevent potential hazards, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
The Mitsubishi MU-2 S.B. No. 184 outlines the specific requirements for the inspection and replacement of control cable turnbuckles in the affected Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes. These directives apply to all models MU-2B/-10/-15/-20/-25/-26 up to serial number 347 (excluding 313 and 321) and all models Mu-2B-30/-35/-36 up to serial number 696 (excluding 652 and 661). The directive mandates that unless the specified maintenance actions have already been performed within 200 hours of time in service after 30th November 1983, these actions must be carried out to ensure compliance with airworthiness standards. This legislative measure aims to protect the integrity of the aircraft and ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/MU-2/26 under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically targeting the Mitsubishi MU-2 Series aeroplanes to address potential safety concerns related to control cable turnbuckles. This directive applies to all MU-2 models, including B/-10/-15/-20/-25/-26 with serial numbers up to 347 (excluding serial numbers 313 and 321) and models B-30/-35/-36 with serial numbers up to 696 (excluding serial numbers 652 and 661). The directive mandates the inspection and replacement of certain turnbuckles to prevent stress corrosion cracking, a critical safety issue identified in turnbuckles manufactured by Teledyne Inet in 1971. Compliance with this directive is required unless the specified actions have already been completed within 200 hours of time in service after 30 November 1983. This regulation underscores the importance of regular maintenance and adherence to safety standards within the aviation industry to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outline the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which include detailed instructions for maintaining the airworthiness of specific aircraft types. One such directive, AD/MU-2/26, pertains to the inspection and replacement of control cable turnbuckles in Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all models MU-2B/-10/-15/-20/-25/-26 with serial numbers up to 347, excluding 313 and 321, and to all models MU-2B-30/-35/-36 with serial numbers up to 696, excluding 652 and 661. The directive is based on Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin No. 184 and requires compliance unless the specified actions have already been performed within 200 hours of time in service after 30th November 1983.
The directive imposes specific obligations on the parties involved, including aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel. These obligations include conducting thorough inspections of the control cable turnbuckles to detect any signs of stress corrosion cracking, particularly in turnbuckles with part numbers MS21251B3L and MS21251BS manufactured by Teledyne Inet in 1971. If any turnbuckles show signs of stress corrosion, they must be replaced promptly to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. This requirement extends to ensuring that all maintenance records are updated to reflect the inspections and any replacements made, which is crucial for ongoing compliance with CASA regulations.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/MU-2/26 can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations provide for both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. Civil penalties may include fines and other monetary penalties as stipulated by the regulations. Criminal penalties can include imprisonment, with the maximum penalties varying based on the severity of the breach and the impact on aviation safety. It is imperative for all parties governed by this directive to adhere strictly to the requirements to avoid these severe consequences and to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety.