Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the Australian legislative framework for aviation safety, was enacted to regulate the safety and operation of civil aviation within Australia. This particular legislative instrument, F2006B06086, addresses a specific safety concern identified with Pilatus PC-12 Series Aeroplanes. The problem it was introduced to address is the potential for abrasive damage and distortion in the torque oil pressure and Py pressure tube/pipe assemblies, which could compromise the safety of the aircraft. The Airworthiness Directive issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) aims to rectify this issue by requiring inspections and necessary adjustments or replacements of the affected components. The objective of this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the specified aircraft models by adhering to the guidelines set out in Pilatus PC12 Service Bulletin No. 71-004. This directive became effective on 27 January 2000, mandating compliance within a short timeframe to mitigate any safety risks associated with the identified condition.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, mandates the application of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PC-12/24 for Pilatus PC-12 Series Aeroplanes. This AD applies to Pilatus PC-12 and PC-12/45 aeroplanes with Manufacturer Serial Numbers (MSN) ranging from MSN 101 through MSN 301 inclusive. The directive is issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), with the authority to enforce compliance with aviation safety standards under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The AD requires specific actions to be taken to address identified unsafe conditions concerning the torque oil pressure and Py pressure tube/pipe assemblies installed on the engines of the specified aeroplanes. These actions include inspecting the assemblies for abrasive damage and distortion, replacing any defective components, and ensuring adequate clearance between the assemblies and surrounding components. The directive is underpinned by Swiss FOCA AD HB 2000-007, which provides additional context for the required actions. Compliance with this AD must be achieved within 10 days or 25 hours of time-in-service following the effective date of 27 January 2000. This directive is enforceable across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniform safety standards for the specified aeroplanes within the nation's airspace.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Airworthiness Directive AD/PC-12/24 (located in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, PART 39 - 105) concern the applicability, requirements, and compliance timelines for the Pilatus PC-12 Series Aeroplanes. Specifically, section (a) under applicability identifies the affected aircraft, namely PC-12 and PC-12/45 aeroplanes with Manufacturer Serial Numbers (MSN) from 101 to 301 inclusive. Section (b) under the requirement section mandates the inspection of torque oil pressure and Py pressure tube/pipe assemblies installed on the engines. This inspection must be conducted for abrasive damage and distortion, with any defective tube/pipe being replaced with a new one. Additionally, the clearance between the individual tube/pipe assemblies and surrounding components must be assessed and adjusted as necessary to meet the required specifications. Section (c) under the compliance section specifies that these actions must be undertaken within 10 days or 25 hours of time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, which is 27 January 2000. The obligations imposed on the parties or entities governed by this AD are centred around ensuring the airworthiness of the specified Pilatus PC-12 Series Aeroplanes. Owners and operators of these aeroplanes must comply with the inspection and repair requirements outlined in the directive. This includes conducting a thorough inspection of the torque oil pressure and Py pressure tube/pipe assemblies for signs of abrasive damage and distortion. If any damage is detected, the defective components must be replaced with new ones. Furthermore, operators must ensure that the clearance between the tube/pipe assemblies and surrounding components is adequate, making any necessary adjustments. Failure to adhere to these obligations can compromise the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 establish several potential consequences for non-compliance with the AD. While specific offences are not detailed in the text, non-compliance could lead to serious safety hazards. The directive mentions Swiss FOCA AD HB 2000-007 as a reference, indicating that similar actions may be taken under international regulations. In general, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in civil or criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and related regulations. Civil penalties could include fines, while criminal penalties might involve imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety. The maximum penalties would be determined by the relevant courts based on the specific circumstances of the case.