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-2/8
Amdt 1
Front Windshield Outer Pane - Inspection and Windshield De-Fogging Air Temperature Warming System - Installation
10/82
Applicability: MU-2B/-10/-15/-20/-25/-26: S/N 005 thru S/N 328.
MU-2B-30/-35/-36: S/N 501 thru S/N 673. except S/N 313, 321, 652, 661 and
aircraft previously modified by MU-2 Service Recommendation No. 027A. Document: Mitsubishi MU-2 SB No. 163B dated 16 November, 1978.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, at every pre-flight inspection after 31 October, 1982.
Note: For aircraft maintained in accordance with ANO 100.5.1, this Directive shall be entered on the maintenance release as maintenance required. The inspection may be performed by the pilot in command, in which case certification is not required. In all other cases certification may be made on the maintenance release. This inspection may also be performed and certified by any Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
Background: Optical distortion and instances of cracking in the front windshield outer pane have been reported. Abnormally hot de-fogging air due to malfunctioning of the air conditioning system has been stated as cause of the occurrences.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative instrument F2006B11402, specifically address safety concerns related to the Mitsubishi MU-2 series aeroplanes through the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs). The AD/MU-2/8 Amendment 1, issued on 10 August 1982, targets critical safety issues associated with the front windshield outer pane of certain MU-2 models. The directive was introduced to rectify the problem of optical distortion and cracking in the front windshield, which were attributed to the malfunction of the de-fogging air temperature warming system. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to ensure compliance with safety standards and to mitigate risks associated with compromised visibility due to windshield defects. The policy objective is to mandate regular inspections and necessary modifications to ensure the airworthiness of the affected aircraft, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to specific models and serial numbers of Mitsubishi MU-2 aircraft, including MU-2B/-10/-15/-20/-25/-26 with serial numbers ranging from 005 to 328, and MU-2B-30/-35/-36 with serial numbers from 501 to 673, with certain exceptions for serial numbers 313, 321, 652, 661, and aircraft previously modified by MU-2 Service Recommendation No. 027A. The directive mandates that these aircraft undergo an inspection of the front windshield outer pane and installation of a windshield de-fogging air temperature warming system. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory for every pre-flight inspection after 31 October 1982. The inspection can be performed by the pilot in command, a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer, or any other qualified personnel, with certification as required. The directive is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and forms part of the broader Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.
Key Provisions
The Mitsubishi MU-2 Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive AD/MU-2/8 Amendment 1 pertains to the inspection and installation requirements of the front windshield outer pane and the windshield de-fogging air temperature warming system. This applies to specific serial numbers of MU-2B/-10/-15/-20/-25/-26 models and MU-2B-30/-35/-36 models, excluding certain serial numbers and those already modified by MU-2 Service Recommendation No. 027A (Section 105.1). The directive is derived from Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin No. 163B dated 16 November 1978 and mandates compliance starting from 31 October 1982.
This directive imposes specific obligations on the parties involved. Aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel must ensure that the front windshield outer pane is inspected at every pre-flight inspection. For aircraft maintained under ANO 100.5.1, this directive must be recorded on the maintenance release as maintenance required. The pilot in command may perform the inspection without requiring certification, but in other cases, certification can be made by a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer or another qualified individual. The installation of the windshield de-fogging air temperature warming system is also mandated to prevent malfunctions that could lead to optical distortion and cracking.
Non-compliance with this Airworthiness Directive may result in serious safety issues, as the directive aims to mitigate risks associated with windshield malfunctions. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly detail specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance with airworthiness directives, non-compliance generally falls under the broader regulatory framework of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. Violations could potentially lead to enforcement actions, fines, and other civil or criminal penalties as deemed appropriate by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The exact penalties can vary based on the severity and circumstances of the breach, but they are intended to ensure compliance with safety standards to protect passengers and crew.