COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
FLS Aerospace OA7 Optica Series Aeroplanes
AD/OPTICA/6 Engine Control Linkage 8/97
Applicability: All Optica OA7 series aircraft.
Requirement: 1. Inspect the 3/16 inch ball joints in the throttle and mixture linkage, forward and aft ends, for signs of wear in accordance with Paragraph 5 Part A of FLS Aerospace Mandatory SB B2/SB/007 Issue 2 dated 17/10/96.
2. Replace the ball joints in the throttle and mixture linkage in accordance with Paragraph 5 Part B of FLS Aerospace Mandatory SB B2/SB/007 Issue 2 dated 17/10/96.
Note: UK CAA AD 009-10-96 refers.
Compliance: 1. At next 50 hourly inspection after the effective date. Thereafter, reinspect at intervals not exceeding 50 hours time in service until Requirement 2 has been carried out.
2. Unless previously carried out, at next annual inspection. This airworthiness directive becomes effective on 17 July 1997.
Background: The manufacturer has advised that during maintenance of an overseas aircraft the throttle arm was found to have been drilled oversize to accommodate a ¼ inch ball joint fitting.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. Among these regulations, Part 39 outlines specific airworthiness directives for certain aircraft, including the FLS Aerospace OA7 Optica Series Aeroplanes. The directive AD/OPTICA/6, issued in 1997, was introduced to address a specific issue identified with the engine control linkage of Optica OA7 series aircraft. The problem involved the use of oversized ball joints in the throttle and mixture linkage, which could lead to wear and potential safety hazards. The directive mandates the inspection and replacement of these ball joints to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
This legislative instrument was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to rectify a safety concern identified by the manufacturer and referenced in the UK Civil Aviation Authority's AD 009-10-96. The policy objective is to ensure that all Optica OA7 series aircraft meet the required safety standards by mandating specific maintenance actions. The directive became effective on 17 July 1997, requiring inspections and necessary repairs at specified intervals to prevent the identified safety risks.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address the safety directives for FLS Aerospace OA7 Optica Series aeroplanes, as outlined in Airworthiness Directive AD/OPTICA/6. This legislation applies to all Optica OA7 series aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, requiring inspections and potential replacements of the 3/16 inch ball joints in the throttle and mixture linkage to ensure safety. The directive mandates that these inspections and replacements be carried out in accordance with the FLS Aerospace Mandatory Service Bulletin B2/SB/007 Issue 2 dated 17/10/96, and references the UK Civil Aviation Authority AD 009-10-96 for additional guidance. The directive became effective on 17 July 1997, and compliance requires inspections at the next 50-hour interval following this date and thereafter, not exceeding 50 hours until the replacement requirement is fulfilled. The replacement itself must occur at the next annual inspection unless it has already been addressed.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in Part 39 - 105, outlines specific Airworthiness Directives (AD) which govern the maintenance and operational standards of aircraft. Section AD/OPTICA/6 focuses on the FLS Aerospace OA7 Optica series aeroplanes, specifically addressing the engine control linkage. The directive mandates two main actions (Section 1). Firstly, it requires the inspection of the 3/16 inch ball joints in the throttle and mixture linkage at both the forward and aft ends for any signs of wear. This inspection must be conducted in accordance with Paragraph 5 Part A of FLS Aerospace Mandatory SB B2/SB/007 Issue 2 dated 17/10/96. Secondly, if any signs of wear are detected, the ball joints must be replaced following Paragraph 5 Part B of the same mandatory service bulletin. The directive references UK CAA AD 009-10-96 for further guidance.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and structured. Operators of Optica OA7 series aircraft must ensure that the specified inspections and replacements are carried out as outlined. The inspections must occur at the next 50-hourly inspection following the directive’s effective date of 17 July 1997. Furthermore, if the replacement of the ball joints has not been performed previously, it must be completed at the next annual inspection. This ensures that the aircraft remains compliant with safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Failure to comply with these AD provisions can result in serious consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed within this particular legislative instrument, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to severe civil and criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Such penalties may include fines, aircraft grounding, or even criminal charges for operators who fail to adhere to the mandated safety standards. These potential repercussions underscore the importance of strict adherence to the AD outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.