Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, provide comprehensive guidelines for civil aviation safety, including the creation of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. One such directive, AD/MU-2/28, pertains to the Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes, specifically targeting models MU-2B-26A/-40 with serial numbers 336SA through 457SA. This directive was introduced to address the identified issue of failures in the nose landing gear drag strut eccentric bolt. The policy objective of AD/MU-2/28 is to ensure the airworthiness of affected aircraft by requiring inspections and, if necessary, replacements of the eccentric bolt at specified intervals to prevent potential failures and enhance flight safety. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, requiring inspections within 100 hours of time in service following 31 December 1983, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours, until the component is replaced in line with the manufacturer's specified requirements.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, with a focus on Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all models of the MU-2B-26A/-40 with serial numbers ranging from 336SA to 457SA. The directive requires an inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the nose landing gear eccentric bolt as outlined in Mitsubishi Aircraft International Service Bulletin No. SBO 38/32-002.12/83. Compliance necessitates these actions unless they have already been completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1983, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the replacement is carried out in accordance with the requirement document. This directive aims to prevent failures of the nose landing gear drag strut eccentric bolt, which the manufacturer has previously reported. The scope of this legislation is national, applying to all relevant aircraft operating within Australia, and it is enforced by CASA, the Commonwealth authority responsible for aviation safety. The legislation does not explicitly exclude any specific entities or industries, and it extends its application to all affected aircraft, regardless of their operation within state or territory boundaries. The directive is comprehensive in its requirement for inspections and necessary replacements, ensuring safety standards are maintained across the specified models of the Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes. No specific exemptions or thresholds are stated within this directive, and the requirements are to be met strictly as per the outlined intervals and conditions.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 (Section 105.010), outline the requirements for airworthiness directives pertaining to the Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes. This particular directive, AD/MU-2/28, focuses on the inspection and replacement of the nose landing gear eccentric bolt on models MU-2B-26A/-40 with serial numbers ranging from 336SA to 457SA. The directive references Mitsubishi Aircraft International Service Bulletin No. SBO 38/32-002.12/83 as the document outlining the compliance and procedural requirements. To comply with this directive, operators of the specified Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes must ensure that the inspection of the nose landing gear drag strut eccentric bolt is performed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1983. Subsequent inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until the bolt is replaced in accordance with the requirements outlined in the referenced service bulletin. This proactive measure is intended to prevent failures that could compromise the safety of the aircraft. Operators of the Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes must ensure that their maintenance personnel are adequately trained to perform the inspections and replacements as specified. All actions must be logged and documented in accordance with the regulations, and any identified issues must be addressed promptly to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to adhere to these requirements can result in significant safety risks and potential regulatory penalties. The Civil Aviation Regulations also impose specific obligations on operators to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft. This includes ensuring that all inspections and maintenance actions are carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's service bulletins and any applicable airworthiness directives. Non-compliance with these obligations can lead to serious consequences, including the grounding of the aircraft until the necessary inspections and repairs are completed. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/MU-2/28 may result in civil and criminal penalties. Operators found to be in breach of these regulations may face fines, and in severe cases, the revocation of the aircraft's operating certificate. The maximum penalties for such violations can include substantial fines and potential imprisonment for individuals found guilty of criminal negligence. It is therefore imperative that operators adhere strictly to the requirements set out in the directive to ensure the safety of their operations and avoid legal repercussions.