COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes
AD/MU-2/68 Wing Tip Fuel Tank Attach Brackets 12/2001
TX
Applicability: Model MU-2B, MU-2B-10, -15, -20, -25, -26, -30, -35, -36, with serial numbers 008
through 347, and 501 through 696; except 313, 321, 652, and 661.
Requirement: Inspect by fluorescent penetrant method, the LH and RH wing tip fuel tank attach brackets, in accordance with Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin No. 236, dated 28 August 2001.
Note: JCAB AD TCD-5747-2001 refers.
Compliance: Within 25 flight hours or within 6 months after 3 October 2001, whichever occurs first.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 October 2001.
Background: Reports were received of cracking of attach brackets of the wing tip fuel tanks.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 27 September 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 3 October 2001.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), enacted in 1998, are a crucial piece of legislation administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. Among the many aspects covered by these regulations is Part 39, which includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that mandate corrective actions for identified safety issues. The Airworthiness Directive AD/MU-2/68, issued in 2001, specifically addresses the problem of cracking in the wing tip fuel tank attach brackets of Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes. This directive was enacted to ensure the structural integrity of the specified aircraft models, thereby preventing potential safety hazards. CASA, as the delegate of the Commonwealth, aims to mitigate risks through timely and precise inspections as outlined in the directive, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to specific models of the Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes, namely MU-2B, MU-2B-10, -15, -20, -25, -26, -30, -35, -36, within certain serial numbers, excluding the specified serial numbers. The directive mandates an inspection of the left and right hand wing tip fuel tank attach brackets using the fluorescent penetrant method in accordance with Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin No. 236. This requirement must be fulfilled within 25 flight hours or within 6 months from 3 October 2001, whichever comes first. The directive is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and extends to all entities operating the specified models of Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes within the specified serial numbers. The AD is effective as of 3 October 2001 and was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on the same date.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive AD/MU-2/68 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to Mitsubishi MU-2 Series aeroplanes with certain serial numbers, excluding a few exceptions (s. 1). The directive mandates that inspections of the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) wing tip fuel tank attach brackets must be conducted using the fluorescent penetrant method in line with Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin No. 236, dated 28 August 2001 (s. 1). This inspection is a response to reports of cracking in the attach brackets of the wing tip fuel tanks (s. 1). Operators of these aircraft must ensure that the inspections are carried out within 25 flight hours or within six months from 3 October 2001, whichever comes first (s. 1).
The obligations imposed by this Airworthiness Directive include conducting a thorough inspection of the specified wing tip fuel tank attach brackets. Operators must adhere to the guidelines outlined in Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin No. 236, ensuring that the inspection is performed using the fluorescent penetrant method. Failure to comply with the inspection requirements within the stipulated timeframe may result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, leading to potential grounding and operational disruptions (s. 1). Furthermore, operators are required to maintain records of all inspections conducted in compliance with this directive.
Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive AD/MU-2/68 can lead to significant consequences. If an operator fails to conduct the required inspections within the specified timeframe, the aircraft may be deemed non-compliant with airworthiness standards. This non-compliance can result in penalties imposed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, including fines or other sanctions. In extreme cases, the aircraft may be grounded until the necessary inspections are performed and any issues are rectified, potentially leading to substantial operational delays and financial repercussions for the operator (s. 1). Additionally, non-compliance may expose the operator to liability for any incidents or accidents arising from the failure to address the identified safety concerns.