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-2/57 Acrylic Windshield and Side Windows 6/96
Applicability: MU-2B -10, -15, - 20, -25, -26 S/N 008 to 347 (except 313 and 321), and -30, -35, -
36, S/N 501 to 696 (except 652 and 661); equipped with windscreen, cockpit or cabin windows P/Nos:
010A-31450-1 or -2 010A-31451-1 or -2
010A-31874-1 or -2 010A-31870
010A-31870-11 030A-32402
Requirement: Inspect, and replace as necessary, in accordance with MHI MU-2 SB 224A.
Note: JCAB AD TCD-4311-95 refers.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 23 May 1996, thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service.
Background: This Directive is issued to prevent possible in-flight failure of the acrylic transparencies due to undetected cracking.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to ensure the safe operation of aircraft in Australian airspace. Among its many provisions, Part 39 - 105 pertains to Airworthiness Directives, which are mandatory orders that address safety concerns in aircraft design, construction, or operation. Specifically, AD/MU-2/57, issued in 1996, targets the Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes. The directive mandates the inspection and, if necessary, the replacement of the acrylic windshield and side windows to prevent in-flight failure due to undetected cracking. This was introduced to mitigate risks associated with the specified aircraft models and window parts, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours after 23 May 1996 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically address the maintenance and safety of the Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes through AD/MU-2/57. This directive applies to certain MU-2 models and serial numbers, particularly those equipped with specific part numbers of windshields and side windows. The directive mandates inspections and necessary replacements of these acrylic components to prevent potential in-flight failures due to undetected cracking, ensuring compliance with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Service Bulletin 224A. The directive applies to specified MU-2B and MU-3 models with particular serial numbers, excluding certain aircraft within those ranges, and requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after the directive's issue date, with further inspections at intervals not exceeding 100 hours. This regulatory requirement underscores CASA's commitment to maintaining safety standards within the aviation industry, ensuring that these aircraft meet stringent criteria to mitigate risks associated with acrylic transparency failures.
The scope of this airworthiness directive is geographically and operationally limited to aircraft registered and operated within Australia, subject to CASA's jurisdiction. The directive does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions, but its applicability is confined to the specified models and serial numbers of the Mitsubishi MU-2 aeroplanes. The directive's enforcement is facilitated by CASA's regulatory framework, which may extend or clarify its application through subordinate instruments or further guidance. The regulation's intent is to ensure that the specified aircraft maintain structural integrity and safety, thus safeguarding both crew and passengers.
Key Provisions
The key provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in relation to the Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes and AD/MU-2/57, focus on the acrylic windshield and side windows. According to section (105), the regulation requires an inspection and replacement of the specified acrylic windshields and side windows, as outlined in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MU-2 Service Bulletin 224A. This is to prevent in-flight failure due to undetected cracking. The applicability of this directive is specifically for MU-2B models with certain serial numbers, and those equipped with particular part numbers of windshields and side windows.
Operators and owners of the specified Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes are obligated to comply with these requirements. This includes conducting inspections and making necessary replacements of the acrylic windshields and side windows within 100 hours of time in service following the directive's issuance date, 23 May 1996, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours. Failure to comply with these directives could result in serious safety risks, as the regulation aims to prevent possible in-flight failures due to undetected cracking in these critical components.
Breaching the requirements set forth in this directive can lead to significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, non-compliance may result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The penalties for such breaches can include fines, suspension, or revocation of airworthiness certificates. The exact penalties are not specified in the directive but generally fall under the broader regulatory framework of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, where severe non-compliance can attract heavy fines and other legal repercussions. Ensuring adherence to these directives is crucial for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft involved.