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-12/8
Amdt 1
Executive Cabin Layout 9/98
Applicability: Lavatory Wall Modification: All PC-12 and PC-12/45 aircraft, MSN 101 up to and including MSN 180, which have an executive cabin layout.
Passenger Seat Configuration Modifications: All PC-12 and PC-12/45 aircraft, MSN 101 up to and including MSN 171, which have an executive cabin layout.
Requirement: Modify in accordance with Pilatus Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) 25-003 Revision 1.
Note: FOCA Switzerland AD HB 97-249A refers.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished in accordance with SB 25-003, before 13 September 1998.
This amendment becomes effective on 13 August 1998.
Background: In order to comply with the Head Injury Criteria requirements of FAR 23.562 (c)(5), this Directive requires modification of the executive cabin type layout.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to revision of the FOCA AD which introduces a revised Requirement document which clarifies certain requirements.
The original issue of this airworthiness directive became effective on 2 July 1997.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, address various safety standards and requirements to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. A specific amendment to these regulations, introduced in 1998, pertains to the Pilatus PC-12 Series Aeroplanes. This legislative instrument, referred to as AD/PC-12/8 Amendment 1, was introduced to address safety concerns related to the executive cabin layout of certain Pilatus PC-12 and PC-12/45 aircraft. The policy objective behind this amendment is to ensure compliance with the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) concerning head injury criteria, specifically FAR 23.562 (c)(5). This directive mandates specific modifications to the lavatory wall and passenger seat configurations of affected aircraft to mitigate safety risks, thereby enhancing the overall airworthiness and safety of these aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 specifically target Pilatus PC-12 Series Aeroplanes, addressing critical modifications to enhance safety compliance. This particular directive, AD/PC-12/8 Amendment 1, applies to all Pilatus PC-12 and PC-12/45 aircraft with serial numbers (MSN) ranging from 101 to 180 for lavatory wall modifications and from 101 to 171 for passenger seat configuration modifications, provided these aircraft are equipped with an executive cabin layout. The directive mandates modifications in accordance with Pilatus Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) 25-003 Revision 1, aligning with the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 23.562 (c)(5) requirements for head injury criteria. Compliance with this directive is essential unless the modifications have already been completed as per SB 25-003, with the requirement to be fulfilled by 13 September 1998. This amendment became effective on 13 August 1998, following the revision of the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) Switzerland Airworthiness Directive (AD) HB 97-249A, which introduced clarifications to the original directive issued on 2 July 1997.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, address modifications required for Pilatus PC-12 series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument mandates specific alterations for aircraft with certain manufacturing serial numbers (MSN) and cabin layouts. For instance, Section AD/PC-12/8 Amendment 1 outlines that all Pilatus PC-12 and PC-12/45 aircraft with MSN 101 to 180 in an executive cabin layout must undergo a lavatory wall modification, while those with MSN 101 to 171 must also have passenger seat configuration modifications. These changes must be made in accordance with Pilatus Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) 25-003 Revision 1, which corresponds to FOCA Switzerland AD HB 97-249A.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Aircraft operators must ensure that the required modifications are completed before the specified compliance date, which in this case is 13 September 1998, unless the modifications have already been accomplished in line with the SB 25-003. Non-compliance with these directives can result in significant safety issues, as the modifications are designed to meet the Head Injury Criteria requirements of FAR 23.562 (c)(5). Ensuring adherence to these specifications is essential to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensure passenger safety.
Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this airworthiness directive can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline potential penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Although specific penalties are not detailed in this particular legislative instrument, general provisions within the regulations and related acts allow for fines, imprisonment, or both. For instance, under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, breaches of airworthiness directives can result in substantial fines, and in severe cases, imprisonment for up to five years. Additionally, operators may face the risk of grounding their aircraft, which can have significant financial and operational repercussions.
In summary, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 mandate specific modifications to Pilatus PC-12 series aeroplanes to ensure compliance with safety standards. Operators must complete these modifications as per the directives and service bulletins provided. Non-compliance not only poses safety risks but can also lead to severe legal and financial penalties. The clear and specific requirements and obligations outlined in this legislative instrument underscore the importance of adhering to these airworthiness directives to maintain the highest safety standards in aviation.