COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes
11/98
Requirement: 1. Inspect the torque shaft (part number 030A-38605-21) for correct spline connection in accordance with paragraph 4 of Mitsubishi Heavy Industry MU-2 Service Bulletin (SB) 235, dated 4 August 1998.
2. If the distance measured in the Requirement 1 inspection is less than 12mm, before further flight, replace or modify the torque shaft assembly in accordance with paragraph 5 of SB 235.
Note: JCAB AD TCD-4838-98 refers.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, within 100 hours time in service after 8 October 1998.
This airworthiness directive becomes effective on 8 October 1998.
Background: This Directive is to prevent disconnection within the landing gear drive train, which could result in a situation with the nose gear extended and the main gear retracted.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to regulate civil aviation and ensure safety in the Australian aviation sector. As part of this overarching regulation, Part 39 - 105 specifically addresses airworthiness directives for particular aircraft types, such as the Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes. The Mitsubishi MU-2 Airworthiness Directive issued in 1998 targets the prevention of disconnection within the landing gear drive train of these aircraft, a critical safety issue that could potentially lead to hazardous flight conditions. This directive, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandates inspections and necessary modifications to the torque shaft assembly to ensure compliance, reflecting the overarching policy objective of maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation.
This airworthiness directive became effective on 8 October 1998 and requires compliance within 100 hours of service time following the date of issuance. The directive references Mitsubishi Heavy Industry MU-2 Service Bulletin 235 and JCAB AD TCD-4838-98, ensuring that any issues identified during inspections are addressed promptly and appropriately. This regulatory action underscores the importance of regular maintenance and adherence to specific safety protocols to prevent operational hazards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to Mitsubishi MU-2 Series aeroplanes, mandating compliance with specified safety measures. This legislation is of national jurisdiction and applies to all operators of Mitsubishi MU-2 aircraft within Australia, ensuring that these aeroplanes meet certain airworthiness standards to prevent critical mechanical failures, such as the disconnection within the landing gear drive train. The directive requires operators to inspect and, if necessary, replace or modify the torque shaft assembly to maintain the correct spline connection. Compliance with these directives is mandatory unless the specified actions have already been undertaken, and it must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 8 October 1998. This regulation is effective from 8 October 1998, and the requirements are detailed in Mitsubishi Heavy Industry MU-2 Service Bulletin 235, dated 4 August 1998, and referenced in JCAB AD TCD-4838-98.
Key Provisions
The Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive, as outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically targets the inspection and potential replacement or modification of the torque shaft. Section (1) of the directive mandates that the torque shaft, part number 030A-38605-21, must be inspected for its correct spline connection in accordance with paragraph 4 of Mitsubishi Heavy Industry MU-2 Service Bulletin (SB) 235, dated 4 August 1998. The directive stipulates that if the measured distance during this inspection is less than 12mm, the torque shaft assembly must be replaced or modified as per paragraph 5 of SB 235 before further flight. This requirement is crucial to ensure the safety of the aircraft by preventing a disconnection in the landing gear drive train, which could lead to an unsafe condition where the nose gear is extended while the main gear is retracted.
Operators of Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes must adhere to the compliance requirements outlined in the directive. Specifically, Section (2) requires that unless the inspection and any necessary modifications or replacements have already been completed, these actions must be undertaken within 100 hours of time in service after the directive became effective on 8 October 1998. This timeframe is critical to ensure that the aircraft remains airworthy and compliant with safety regulations. The directive is supported by JCAB AD TCD-4838-98, which further underscores the importance of these measures.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can lead to serious consequences. Section (3) of the directive implies that non-compliance may result in civil or criminal penalties. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, it is well-established under Australian aviation law that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in significant fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or even criminal charges in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. The severity of these penalties reflects the critical nature of ensuring aircraft safety and the potential risks associated with non-compliance.