AD/PC-12/6 - Elevator

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, include the specific regulation F2006B06108, which pertains to the airworthiness directives for the Pilatus PC-12 Series Aeroplanes. This legislative instrument was introduced to address a detected non-conformance with the elevator build specification on certain Pilatus PC-12 aircraft models, ensuring the safety and compliance of these aircraft within the Australian civil aviation sector. The regulation was enacted by the Australian Commonwealth under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, with the overarching policy objective being to maintain and enhance the safety standards of civil aviation. The requirement for an inspection and possible repair of the elevators aims to mitigate any potential risks associated with the non-conformance, ensuring the continued safe operation of the affected aircraft. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved within a specified timeframe or after a set number of operational hours post the directive's issuance.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to a specific subset of Pilatus PC-12 Series Aeroplanes identified by their serial numbers. This legislation mandates that certain models of PC-12 aircraft must undergo inspection in accordance with Pilatus Aircraft Service Bulletin 55-001 to ensure compliance with safety standards. This requirement must be fulfilled within 12 months or 200 hours of time in service after 27 March 1997, whichever comes first. The directive is a response to a detected non-conformance with the elevator build specification during the aircraft assembly process, which, while not affecting short-term structural integrity, necessitates the inspection and potential repair of the elevator to rectify the issue. The scope of this directive is narrowly focused on the specified serial numbers, ensuring that only the affected aircraft are subject to these particular inspection and repair requirements.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/PC-12/6, mandate that certain Pilatus PC-12 series aircraft with specific serial numbers must undergo an inspection of their elevators. This inspection must be carried out in accordance with Pilatus Aircraft Service Bulletin 55-001. This requirement is necessitated by a non-conformance detected with the elevator build specification on the aircraft assembly line, although it does not affect the short-term structural integrity of the elevator. The purpose of this directive is to detect any possible anomalies and effect necessary repairs. Entities and parties governed by this directive must ensure compliance within 12 months or 200 hours of time in service after 27 March 1997, whichever comes first. The directive refers to FOCA Switzerland AD HB 96 535 for additional context and compliance guidance. The obligations imposed by this Act require that the specified aircraft undergo a thorough inspection to identify any deviations from the approved specifications, followed by any required corrective actions. Operators must maintain records of inspections and any repairs carried out in compliance with these regulations. Failure to comply with the requirements of this directive can result in serious consequences. Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations provide for both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. Civil penalties can include fines up to the maximum statutory limits, while criminal penalties may include imprisonment for serious breaches. Additionally, failure to comply with airworthiness directives can result in the grounding of affected aircraft, which can have significant operational and financial implications for the operators. Operators are therefore under a strict obligation to adhere to the stipulated inspection and compliance timelines to avoid these potential penalties and consequences.