COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Parachute Equipment
AD/PARA/6 Vector Amp Fitting 4/99
Applicability: All Vector parachute systems manufactured by The Uninsured Relative Workshop Incorporated (Relative Workshop) between January 1, 1996 and September 10, 1998 inclusive.
Requirement: Inspect the amp fitting on the end of breakaway housing for proper swaging in accordance with Relative Workshop Product Service Bulletin #091098-B, dated September 10, 1998. Re-swage any amp fitting found incorrectly swaged.
Note 1: The above referenced Service Bulletin may be obtained from the internet at "http://www.relativeworkshop.com/"
Note 2: FAA AD 99-01-11 refers.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, before further service after 29 April 1999. An entry on the parachute packing card, signed by the holder of a Packer A, Rigger B or Rigger A (or equivalent) noting accomplishment of the referenced service bulletin constitutes compliance with this directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 22 April 1999.
Background: A number of amp fittings on Vector parachute systems were incorrectly swaged during manufacture. Left uncorrected, the amp fitting may come off the breakaway cable housing. This may result in an unintended partial cut-away and interference with deployment of the reserve parachute.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve to maintain safety and standards within the aviation industry, including the regulation of parachute equipment. Part 39, specifically addressing airworthiness directives, includes the requirement for the inspection and proper swaging of amp fittings on Vector parachute systems manufactured by The Uninsured Relative Workshop Incorporated between January 1, 1996, and September 10, 1998. This directive was introduced to address the issue of incorrectly swaged amp fittings, which could lead to unintended partial cut-aways and deployment interference of the reserve parachute, thus enhancing safety for users. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with inspections to be completed before further service after April 29, 1999, and documented with a signed entry on the parachute packing card by a qualified individual.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandates certain safety measures for parachute equipment manufactured by The Uninsured Relative Workshop Incorporated between January 1, 1996 and September 10, 1998. The legislation applies to all Vector parachute systems produced by this manufacturer within the specified timeframe. The requirement is to inspect the amp fitting on the end of the breakaway housing for proper swaging in accordance with the Relative Workshop Product Service Bulletin #091098-B. Any amp fittings found to be incorrectly swaged must be re-swaged. The directive aims to ensure that the amp fitting does not come off the breakaway cable housing, which could result in unintended partial cut-aways and interference with the deployment of the reserve parachute. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for any further service after April 29, 1999, and must be documented on the parachute packing card by a holder of a Packer A, Rigger B, or Rigger A (or equivalent) certification. This Airworthiness Directive became effective on April 22, 1999.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, outlines the safety directives for civil aviation, including provisions for the maintenance and inspection of parachute equipment. Section 107 mandates the schedule of airworthiness directives, ensuring that all components of aircraft, including parachute systems, meet safety standards. The relevant section here is AD/PARA/6, which addresses the Vector Amp Fitting for Vector parachute systems manufactured by The Uninsured Relative Workshop Incorporated between 1996 and 1998. This section requires that the amp fitting on the breakaway housing must be inspected and properly swaged as per the specifications in the Relative Workshop Product Service Bulletin #091098-B, dated September 10, 1998.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators of Vector parachute systems must ensure that the amp fitting is correctly swaged. This involves inspecting the fitting and re-swaging it if it is found to be improperly fitted. The inspection and re-swaging must be performed according to the detailed instructions in the referenced service bulletin. Additionally, compliance with this directive must be documented. Specifically, an entry on the parachute packing card must be made by a qualified individual, such as a Packer A, Rigger B, or Rigger A, or their equivalent, noting that the service bulletin has been accomplished. This entry must be signed by the qualified individual.
Failure to comply with this airworthiness directive can result in serious consequences. Section 107 sets out the penalties for non-compliance, which can include both civil and criminal liabilities. The exact penalties are not specified in the directive but could potentially include fines, suspension or revocation of operational licenses, and other enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The severity of these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the directive to ensure the safety of all persons involved in the use of the affected parachute systems.