AD/PC-6/13 - Elevator Attachment Bracket - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for ensuring the safety of civil aviation in the country. Among the various regulatory measures, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations, specifically addressing Airworthiness Directives, plays a crucial role. This legislative instrument, known as AD/PC-6/13, targets the Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the inspection of the elevator attachment bracket. The problem this directive addresses is the potential risk of structural failure in the elevator attachment bracket of certain Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series Aeroplanes, which could compromise flight safety. The policy objective is to mitigate these risks through regular inspections, ensuring the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft and thereby protecting the safety of passengers and crew. Compliance with this directive mandates inspections at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service following the issuance date of 15 January 1967, utilising dye penetrant inspection methods.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertain to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives for aircraft within Australian airspace. This particular directive, AD/PC-6/13, applies to all models of the Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series aeroplanes, except those with serial numbers 621 and above that have been modified according to Service Bulletin No. 67. This means that the regulation is intended to ensure that these aircraft maintain specific safety standards, particularly focusing on the inspection of the elevator attachment bracket. The geographic scope of this legislation is national, as it applies to all aircraft registered and operated within Australia, reflecting the Commonwealth's jurisdiction over civil aviation safety. The directive mandates a thorough inspection process using dye penetrant at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service following 15 January 1967, thereby ensuring compliance with safety standards and maintaining airworthiness for these aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), specifically Part 39 - 105, govern the maintenance and inspection requirements for the Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series Aeroplanes. Section AD/PC-6/13 pertains to the elevator attachment bracket inspection. This section applies to all models of the Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series prior to serial numbers 621, unless they have already been modified in accordance with Service Bulletin No. 67 (Pilatus SB No. 67). The requirement is that these aircraft must undergo an inspection of the elevator attachment bracket, using dye penetrant, at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service after 15 January 1967. For the parties or entities governed by these regulations, the obligations are clear and precise. Operators of the Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series aeroplanes must ensure that inspections are conducted as mandated by AD/PC-6/13. This involves using dye penetrant to inspect the elevator attachment bracket. The inspection must occur within the specified intervals to maintain compliance with the safety directives outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. Failure to adhere to these inspection requirements can lead to significant safety risks, potentially compromising the airworthiness of the aircraft. Breach of these regulations can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose penalties for non-compliance with the airworthiness directives. Specifically, if an operator fails to conduct the required inspections of the elevator attachment bracket as per AD/PC-6/13, they may face enforcement actions. The severity of the penalties can vary, but they are intended to ensure that all aircraft maintain the highest safety standards. Non-compliance can also lead to grounding of the aircraft, which can have severe operational and financial repercussions for the operator.