AD/P68/10 Amdt 1 - Stabilator Balance Weight Attachment - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, include specific Airworthiness Directives to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft in Australian airspace. One such directive is AD/P68/10 Amendment 1, which pertains to the stabilator balance weight attachment of Partenavia P68 series aeroplanes. This directive was enacted to address specific structural concerns related to the stabilator balance weight attachment in certain P68 models, aiming to mitigate the risk of in-flight failures that could compromise safety. The directive applies to all Partenavia P68 and P68B models with serial numbers prior to 89, excluding serial numbers 03 and 40. The primary objective is to ensure that these aircraft meet the necessary safety standards through regular inspections and required modifications, as outlined in Partenavia Bolletino di Servizio Tecnico No. 36 and referenced by Registro Aeronautico Italiano AD No. 78-107/P68-16 Rev. 1. This legislative measure underscores the commitment of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to maintaining rigorous safety standards in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, apply to all Partenavia P68 and P68B series aeroplanes with serial numbers (S/Nos.) prior to S/No. 89, with the exception of S/Ns 03 and 40. This regulation sets forth the requirements for inspecting and modifying the stabilator balance weight attachment to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft. The regulation specifies that visual inspections of the stabilator balance weight attachment channel are to be conducted to identify any cracks, especially in areas where the channel attaches to the stabilator and where the balance weight attaches to the channel. Furthermore, the stabilator balance weight attachment channel must be modified in accordance with Partenavia Bolletino di Servizio Tecnico No. 36, referencing Registro Aeronautico Italiano AD No. 78-107/P68-16 Rev. 1. Compliance with these directives involves periodic inspections and timely modifications based on the aircraft's total time in service, with different intervals and timelines prescribed for aircraft with less than 5000 hours and less than 500 hours of service. This regulation extends its application through the subordinate instrument which provides specific details and thresholds for compliance, ensuring adherence to safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, provides detailed instructions for maintaining the airworthiness of certain aircraft types, including the Partenavia P68 Series Aeroplanes. This regulation is captured under AD/P68/10 Amendment 1, focusing on the stabilator balance weight attachment. The applicability of these provisions extends to all Partenavia P68 and P68B models with serial numbers prior to 89, excluding serial numbers 03 and 40. The regulation requires a thorough visual inspection of the stabilator balance weight attachment channel, particularly focusing on areas where the channel attaches to the stabilator and where the balance weight attaches to the channel (section 1). The inspection should check for any cracks that could compromise the structural integrity of the attachment. Following the inspection, the stabilator balance weight attachment channel must be modified according to the specifications outlined in Partenavia Bolletino di Servizio Tecnico No. 36. The reference to Registro Aeronautico Italiano AD No. 78-107/P68-16 Rev. 1 provides additional guidance on the required modifications. Compliance with these regulations involves adhering to specific inspection and modification intervals based on the aircraft's time in service. For aircraft with less than 5000 hours of time in service, inspections should be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours until the modification is made. For aircraft with more than 5000 hours of time in service, inspections should occur at intervals not exceeding 25 hours until the modification is completed. The modification itself should be performed within 500 hours of time in service for aircraft with less than 500 hours of service. For aircraft with more than 500 hours but less than 5000 hours of service, the modification should be completed within 100 hours of the inspection. These intervals ensure that the stabilator balance weight attachment is regularly inspected and, where necessary, modified to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in AD/P68/10 Amendment 1 may result in significant civil and criminal consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the regulation itself, general provisions within the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline potential penalties for breaches of airworthiness directives. Civil penalties can include fines and the possibility of grounding the aircraft until compliance is achieved. Criminal penalties may apply in more severe cases, potentially leading to imprisonment for individuals or organisations found guilty of non-compliance. The maximum penalties would be determined by the specific circumstances of the breach and the applicable laws at the time of the offence. Ensuring compliance with these regulations is crucial for maintaining the safety standards required by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.