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-2/37 Flap Flexible Shaft Sealing and Torque Check 12/85
Applicability: All models MU-2B/-10/-15/-20/-25/-26 with S/Nos. 008 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: Action in accordance with Mitsubishi SB No. 198.
Note: JCAB AD No. TCD-2451-85 refers.
Compliance: At the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue after 31 December 1985.
Background: The manufacturer reports failures of the flexible drive shaft attributable to ingress of moisture.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve as a comprehensive framework to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. One particular legislative instrument within this framework is F2006B11367, which introduces specific Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address identified safety issues in certain aircraft models. This particular instrument, AD/MU-2/37, targets Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes, specifically focusing on the flap flexible shaft sealing and torque check to mitigate risks associated with moisture ingress causing shaft failures. This directive was introduced to ensure compliance with international safety standards and to maintain the airworthiness of these aircraft models. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by mandating corrective actions to be taken during scheduled maintenance inspections following the directive's publication date of 31 December 1985.
The AD/MU-2/37 is a critical component of the regulatory approach by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), ensuring that specific models of Mitsubishi MU-2 aircraft adhere to stringent safety requirements. The directive applies to a defined series of MU-2 models with specific serial numbers, excluding certain aircraft identified as exceptions. Compliance with the directive is mandatory and must be verified at the next scheduled maintenance inspection after the specified date. This regulatory measure is intended to prevent potential failures due to moisture ingress, thereby safeguarding the operational integrity and safety of the aircraft in question. The reference to Mitsubishi Service Bulletin No. 198 and JCAB AD No. TCD-2451-85 further underscores the directive's alignment with established industry practices and safety protocols.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes. This regulation mandates certain maintenance actions for specific models of the MU-2 aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the flap flexible shaft sealing and torque check. The directive applies to all models MU-2B/-10/-15/-20/-25/-26 with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 008 to 347, excluding S/Nos. 313 and 321, as well as models MU-2B-30/-35/-36 with S/Nos. 501 to 696, excluding S/Nos. 652 and 661. Compliance with the directive, which involves adhering to Mitsubishi Service Bulletin No. 198, is required at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue after 31 December 1985. The directive is a response to reported failures of the flexible drive shaft due to moisture ingress. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this regulation is national, governed by the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates certain safety directives for Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directives (ADs). One such directive is AD/MU-2/37 (section 12/85), which pertains to the flap flexible shaft sealing and torque check for specified models of Mitsubishi MU-2 aeroplanes. This directive applies to all models MU-2B/-10/-15/-20/-25/-26 with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 008 to 347, with exceptions for S/Nos. 313 and 321, as well as to all models MU-2B-30/-35/-36 with S/Nos. 501 to 696, excluding S/Nos. 652 and 661. The requirement outlined in this directive mandates that the action must be in accordance with Mitsubishi Service Bulletin (SB) No. 198. Additionally, Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) AD No. TCD-2451-85 refers to this directive.
The obligations under this directive primarily involve ensuring the aircraft's flap flexible shaft is properly sealed and torqued to prevent moisture ingress, which has been identified as a cause of failures. Operators of the specified aircraft models must comply with the directive by implementing the necessary actions detailed in Mitsubishi SB No. 198 during the next scheduled inspection for maintenance release, which must occur after 31 December 1985. This includes verifying that the flexible shaft is correctly sealed and torqued to avoid any potential failure due to moisture ingress.
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/MU-2/37 could lead to serious safety issues, potentially resulting in aircraft malfunctions or failures. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces these regulations strictly to ensure the airworthiness of the aircraft. Non-compliance may result in enforcement actions, including grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are completed. While specific penalties are not outlined in the directive, operators can expect civil or criminal consequences if they do not adhere to the regulations, potentially leading to fines or other legal repercussions. These measures are in place to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety and ensure the reliability and safety of the aircraft in operation.