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-2/64 Elevator Trim Indication 12/98
Applicability: Model MU-2B-10, -15, -20, -25 and -26 aeroplanes with serial numbers (S/N) 008
through 347 (except S/N 313 and 321); and model MU-2B-30, -35 and -36 aeroplanes
with S/N 501 through 696 (except S/N 652 and 661).
Requirement: Modify the elevator trim indicator scale dial in accordance with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Bulletin No 228 dated 13 July 1998.
Note: JCAB TCD-3740A-98 refers.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service from the effective date of this directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 5 November 1998.
Background: AD/MU-2/52, issued in 1993, mandated the modification of the autopilot to reduce nose-down trim range. This directive requires the modification of the elevator trim indicator scale to be consistent with the available range of the elevator trim.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, introduced a legislative instrument aimed at enhancing the safety standards for specific Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, this regulation was designed to address issues associated with the elevator trim indication in certain Mitsubishi MU-2 aeroplane models, specifically targeting models MU-2B-10, -15, -20, -25, -26, MU-2B-30, -35, and -36. The directive mandates modifications to the elevator trim indicator scale to ensure it aligns with the available range of elevator trim, as outlined in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Bulletin No 228 dated 13 July 1998. The policy objective is to mitigate risks by ensuring accurate indication of the elevator trim, thereby enhancing overall flight safety. This regulation became effective on 5 November 1998, and compliance is required within 100 hours of the directive’s effective date.
This legislative instrument follows a previous directive, AD/MU-2/52 from 1993, which required modifications to the autopilot to reduce the nose-down trim range, reflecting a continuous effort to improve aviation safety through targeted modifications to aircraft systems.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning Airworthiness Directives, applies to certain Mitsubishi MU-2 Series aeroplanes. It mandates modifications to the elevator trim indicator scale for specific models and serial numbers, namely MU-2B-10, -15, -20, -25, and -26 with serial numbers ranging from 008 to 347, excluding S/N 313 and 321, and MU-2B-30, -35, and -36 with serial numbers ranging from 501 to 696, excluding S/N 652 and 661. The directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service from its effective date, 5 November 1998. This directive follows AD/MU-2/52, issued in 1993, which mandated the modification of the autopilot to reduce nose-down trim range. The requirement is to modify the elevator trim indicator scale dial in accordance with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Bulletin No 228 dated 13 July 1998, with reference to JCAB TCD-3740A-98. The regulation extends its reach to ensure that the specified aircraft maintain their airworthiness by adhering to these modifications.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a schedule of airworthiness directives for various types of aircraft, one of which pertains to the Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes (section 12/98). This particular directive, AD/MU-2/64, concerns the elevator trim indication for certain models of the MU-2 series. It applies to MU-2B-10, -15, -20, -25, and -26 aeroplanes with specific serial numbers, excluding certain serial numbers (section 1). The directive mandates that the elevator trim indicator scale dial be modified in accordance with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Bulletin No 228 dated 13 July 1998. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service from its effective date of 5 November 1998 (section 3).
The Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes governed by this directive must adhere to strict modifications to ensure continued airworthiness. Owners and operators of affected aircraft must ensure that the elevator trim indicator scale dial is modified as specified in the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Bulletin No 228. This involves updating the scale dial to reflect the available range of the elevator trim, ensuring that pilots have accurate and up-to-date information regarding the aeroplane's trim settings (section 3). Failure to comply with this directive can result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, thereby prohibiting its operation until the required modifications are completed.
Non-compliance with the requirements outlined in AD/MU-2/64 can lead to significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce penalties and sanctions for breaches of airworthiness directives. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, they could potentially include fines, grounding of the aircraft, and other regulatory actions. Additionally, operators failing to comply with these directives could face civil or criminal liability if their non-compliance results in an aviation accident or incident (section 4). Therefore, it is imperative that all relevant parties adhere strictly to the directive to avoid these potential repercussions.