COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Pilatus PC-12 Series Aeroplanes
AD/PC-12/7 Aileron Tie Rod Assembly 8/97
Applicability: Model PC-12 and PC-12/45 aircraft, with serial numbers MSN 101 through to and including MSN 169.
Requirement: Inspect and modify in accordance with Pilatus Mandatory Service Bulletin 27-001.
Note: FOCA Switzerland AD HB 97-174 refers.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, before 17 October 1997.
This airworthiness directive becomes effective on 17 July 1997.
Background: A report was received where the aileron tie-rod jam-nuts, on the aileron movement chain of the control wheels, became loose.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B06109, introduce specific airworthiness directives aimed at ensuring the safety of Pilatus PC-12 series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, this legislation targets the identified problem of potential loosening of aileron tie-rod jam-nuts on the aileron movement chain of the control wheels. The policy objective is to mandate inspections and modifications to the affected aircraft to prevent safety hazards, in alignment with the requirements outlined in Pilatus Mandatory Service Bulletin 27-001 and referenced Swiss FOCA directive HB 97-174. This directive became effective on 17 July 1997, requiring compliance by 17 October 1997 for the specified aircraft models and serial numbers.
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Australian Parliament, address the specific safety concerns regarding the aileron tie rod assembly of Pilatus PC-12 series aeroplanes. This regulation was introduced to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft by mandating timely inspections and modifications to prevent the loosening of aileron tie-rod jam-nuts. The directive is applicable to Model PC-12 and PC-12/45 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from MSN 101 to MSN 169, requiring compliance before 17 October 1997, as per the effective date of 17 July 1997.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specify the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which apply to specific aircraft types and serial numbers within the Commonwealth of Australia. This particular airworthiness directive, AD/PC-12/7, concerns the Pilatus PC-12 series aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers ranging from MSN 101 to MSN 169, including both PC-12 and PC-12/45 models. The directive mandates that an inspection and modification of the aileron tie rod assembly must be conducted in accordance with Pilatus Mandatory Service Bulletin 27-001, referencing FOCA Switzerland AD HB 97-174. Compliance with this directive is required before 17 October 1997, and it became effective from 17 July 1997. This directive applies directly to the specified aircraft models and serial numbers, ensuring adherence to safety standards set forth by CASA to mitigate risks associated with loose jam-nuts on the aileron movement chain of the control wheels.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, concern the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which is designated as AD/PC-12/7. This directive pertains to the Pilatus PC-12 Series aeroplanes and requires an inspection and modification of the aileron tie rod assembly as per Pilatus Mandatory Service Bulletin 27-001. The directive applies to Model PC-12 and PC-12/45 aircraft with serial numbers from MSN 101 to MSN 169. The requirement necessitates that these inspections and modifications be completed before 17 October 1997. This directive became effective on 17 July 1997.
The obligations imposed by this directive are significant for the operators and maintenance personnel of the specified Pilatus aircraft models. They must ensure that the aileron tie-rod jam-nuts on the aileron movement chain of the control wheels are inspected and, if necessary, modified according to the guidelines provided in Pilatus Mandatory Service Bulletin 27-001. Additionally, operators must confirm that these actions are completed before the specified compliance date of 17 October 1997, to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy.
In terms of potential consequences for non-compliance, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties within this directive. However, failure to adhere to airworthiness directives generally can lead to severe civil and criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These may include substantial fines and imprisonment for individuals responsible for non-compliance. Additionally, operators and maintenance personnel could face revocation of their certificates, leading to significant operational disruptions and financial losses. Ensuring compliance is therefore crucial to avoid these severe consequences.