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-2/38 Landing Gear Aural Warning System 7/86
Applicability: Models MU-2B-25/-26/-26A/-40 with S/Nos. 313SA, 321SA, 365SA and 397SA through 457SA.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Mitsubishi SB 057/32-010. Compliance: Within 100 hours after 31 July 1986.
Background: It has been determined that the landing gear aural warning may not activate in all possible landing conditions.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the legislative framework governing civil aviation in Australia, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of aviation operations within the country. The regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. One specific provision within these regulations is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes, which was introduced to address safety concerns related to the landing gear aural warning system. The directive was issued to ensure that the landing gear aural warning system operates correctly under all possible landing conditions, thereby mitigating the risk of accidents due to un-noticed landing gear malfunctions.
The policy objective behind this directive is to enhance aircraft safety by requiring specific maintenance actions to be performed on the landing gear aural warning systems of certain Mitsubishi MU-2 models. The directive applies to models MU-2B-25/-26/-26A/-40 with specified serial numbers, mandating compliance within 100 hours after 31 July 1986. This measure aims to ensure that the aural warning system is reliable and functional, thereby contributing to the overall safety standards of civil aviation in Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes with certain serial numbers, namely models MU-2B-25/-26/-26A/-40 with S/Nos. 313SA, 321SA, 365SA, and 397SA through 457SA. The regulation pertains to the safety directive concerning the landing gear aural warning system, as outlined in AD/MU-2/38. This directive requires compliance within 100 hours after the specified date of 31 July 1986, to address the potential issue where the landing gear aural warning may not activate in all possible landing conditions. The regulation falls under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is applicable to aircraft operators who must ensure adherence to the prescribed actions in line with Mitsubishi Service Bulletin 057/32-010. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the text, implying that all applicable aircraft must comply with the directive. Subordinate instruments or further clarifications may extend or provide additional details regarding the implementation of this directive.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, require the installation and compliance of the Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes Landing Gear Aural Warning System, as detailed in AD/MU-2/38. The regulation mandates that specific models of the MU-2 Series (MU-2B-25/-26/-26A/-40) with serial numbers 313SA to 457SA must adhere to the action specified in Mitsubishi Service Bulletin 057/32-010. This requirement is to be fulfilled within 100 hours following 31 July 1986. The regulation aims to ensure that the landing gear aural warning system operates correctly under all possible landing conditions.
The obligations imposed on the operators and owners of the specified Mitsubishi MU-2 Series aeroplanes are clear and precise. They must ensure that the landing gear aural warning system is installed and functioning correctly in accordance with Mitsubishi SB 057/32-010. This involves conducting necessary inspections, maintenance, and modifications to the aural warning system as outlined in the service bulletin. Failure to comply with these requirements within the stipulated timeframe of 100 hours after 31 July 1986 could result in the aeroplane being deemed unairworthy, thereby prohibiting its operation until the directive is complied with.
The legislation also outlines serious consequences for non-compliance with the airworthiness directive. Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations stipulate that operating an aircraft that does not comply with applicable airworthiness directives can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, and in severe cases, criminal charges could be brought against the operator or owner of the aircraft. The maximum penalties for such violations can be substantial, reflecting the importance of adhering to safety directives to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all persons on board and on the ground.