AD/MU-2/35 - Horizontal Stabiliser Leading Edge Skin - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 enacted the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework governing aviation safety in Australia. Part 39 of these regulations includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) aimed at ensuring the safe operation of aircraft. One such directive, AD/MU-2/35, addresses the critical issue of cracked horizontal stabiliser leading edge skins in Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes, as specified in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Recommendation No 062A. This directive mandates that all applicable aircraft must undergo inspection and necessary modifications before the next maintenance release after 31 May 1985 and subsequently at each new maintenance release until the modifications are completed. The policy objective is to mitigate safety risks associated with structural integrity by enforcing timely inspections and repairs, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 play a crucial role in maintaining the safety standards of the nation's airspace. By incorporating specific directives such as AD/MU-2/35, CASA ensures that aircraft operators comply with rigorous safety protocols. This directive underscores the commitment to addressing identified safety concerns through manufacturer-recommended repair schemes, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public from potential hazards. The overarching goal is to uphold the highest safety standards within the civil aviation sector, fostering confidence in air travel and ensuring the reliability of aircraft operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes and mandates compliance with the Airworthiness Directive AD/MU-2/35, which concerns the inspection and modification of the horizontal stabiliser leading edge skin. This regulation is applicable to all models referenced in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Recommendation No 062A. The Act requires compliance with the manufacturers' repair scheme, ensuring that any cracked horizontal stabiliser leading edge skins are replaced and reinforced before the next Maintenance Release following 31 May 1985 and subsequently at each new Maintenance Release until the modification is complete. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia, and it does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions. The regulation extends its application through subordinate instruments, such as service recommendations, which further detail the required modifications and inspections.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, require that all Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes adhere to the Airworthiness Directive AD/MU-2/35 (section 1). This directive mandates that the horizontal stabiliser leading edge skins of these aircraft must be inspected and, if necessary, modified in accordance with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Recommendation No 062A (section 2). The compliance requirement stipulates that these actions must be taken before the issuance of the next Maintenance Release following 31 May 1985, and subsequently at each new Maintenance Release until the modifications are made (section 3). This directive aims to ensure that any cracked horizontal stabiliser leading edge skins are replaced and reinforced as per the manufacturer’s repair scheme. The Act imposes several obligations on the operators and owners of Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes. Primarily, they must ensure that the inspections and modifications outlined in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Recommendation No 062A are conducted in a timely manner (section 4). Specifically, they must adhere to the directive's compliance schedule, which requires these actions to be completed prior to each new Maintenance Release (section 5). Operators and owners must also keep detailed records of the inspections and any modifications performed, as well as ensure that these records are made available for review by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) upon request (section 6). Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/MU-2/35 can lead to various civil and criminal consequences. Firstly, non-compliance with the directive may result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, which could prevent it from operating legally (section 7). Operators and owners who fail to adhere to the specified inspection and modification requirements may face enforcement actions from CASA, including fines and potential prosecution (section 8). The maximum penalty for non-compliance can include substantial fines, with the exact amount determined by the severity and frequency of the violation (section 9). Additionally, continued non-compliance could lead to more severe penalties, including the possibility of aircraft grounding and revocation of airworthiness certificates (section 10).