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-2/67 Fuselage Frame 8/99
Applicability: Model MU-2B-30, -35, and -36 aircraft, with serial numbers 501 through 696; except 652 and 661.
Requirement: Inspect the fuselage frame in accordance with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Bulletin 209B.
Note: JCAB AD TCD-5030-99 refers.
Compliance: Within 200 hours time in service after 12 August 1999; thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2,000 hours time in service.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 12 August 1999.
Background: The manufacturer received field reports of cracking around the splice screw holes of the fuselage frame at STA 4610. This Directive requires an inspection of the fuselage frames at STA 4610, 4850, and 5605.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation. Part 39, specifically, pertains to airworthiness directives, which are mandatory orders issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety concerns in aircraft. One such directive, AD/MU-2/67, was introduced to address the issue of fuselage frame cracking in Mitsubishi MU-2 Series aeroplanes. This directive was prompted by reports of cracking around the splice screw holes of the fuselage frame at specific stations. The policy objective behind this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft by requiring inspections in accordance with the manufacturer’s service bulletin, thus mitigating potential safety risks.
Enacted under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, this specific directive became effective on 12 August 1999, targeting Mitsubishi MU-2B-30, -35, and -36 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 501 to 696, excluding serial numbers 652 and 661. The requirement is to inspect the fuselage frame at specified stations and comply within 200 hours of time in service after the directive's issuance, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 2,000 hours of time in service. This measure aims to enhance the structural integrity and safety of the affected aircraft, aligning with CASA's commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/MU-2/67 under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Mitsubishi MU-2 Series aeroplanes, namely models MU-2B-30, -35, and -36 with serial numbers ranging from 501 to 696, with the exceptions of serial numbers 652 and 661. This directive mandates that operators of these aircraft must inspect the fuselage frames in accordance with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Bulletin 209B, focusing on identified areas of concern, including STA 4610, 4850, and 5605. The requirement to comply with this directive begins within 200 hours of time in service following the directive's effective date of 12 August 1999, with subsequent inspections required at intervals not exceeding 2,000 hours of time in service. The directive aims to ensure the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft by addressing reported cracking around the splice screw holes in the fuselage frame, as referenced in JCAB AD TCD-5030-99. This legislative instrument is part of the Commonwealth of Australia's regulatory framework, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring compliance across the national jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the Airworthiness Directive AD/MU-2/67 (paragraph 105.12) mandate that operators of Mitsubishi MU-2B-30, -35, and -36 aircraft, specifically those with serial numbers ranging from 501 to 696 (excluding 652 and 661), must inspect the fuselage frames in accordance with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Bulletin 209B. This requirement was necessitated by reports of cracking around the splice screw holes of the fuselage frame at specific stations (STA 4610, 4850, and 5605). The directive specifies that the initial inspection must be conducted within 200 hours of time in service after 12 August 1999, and subsequent inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 2,000 hours of time in service. The directive came into effect on 12 August 1999 and references JCAB AD TCD-5030-99 for additional context.
Operators of the specified Mitsubishi MU-2 series aircraft must ensure that the inspections are carried out as per the guidelines provided in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Service Bulletin 209B. This involves a thorough examination of the fuselage frames at the identified stations (STA 4610, 4850, and 5605) to detect any signs of cracking or other structural issues. Operators are required to maintain records of all inspections performed and any repairs made, to ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements. Failure to adhere to these inspection intervals and guidelines may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to operational restrictions or grounding.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in AD/MU-2/67 can result in serious consequences. Operators who do not conduct the necessary inspections within the specified timeframes risk facing enforcement actions from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). In the event of non-compliance, CASA may impose penalties, which can include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate, or other regulatory measures. The specific penalties are determined by CASA based on the nature and severity of the non-compliance, but they are designed to ensure that all aircraft operated under these regulations maintain the highest standards of safety and airworthiness. Operators must, therefore, take the directive seriously and ensure that all inspections are conducted in a timely and thorough manner.