Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. One of the key components of these regulations is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address specific safety concerns that may arise with particular aircraft models. AD/PC-6/49, issued on 23 January 2003, pertains to the Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series Aeroplanes and specifically targets an issue with the aileron control system bellcrank assembly. This directive was enacted to address the problem of increased friction in the aileron control system, which was discovered following a reported incident. The policy objective behind this AD is to mandate corrective actions to prevent potential interference of the control cable attachment bolts with adjacent structures, thereby ensuring the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft and maintaining the highest safety standards in Australian civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, outlines the scope and application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These directives are mandated by subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and are intended to ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products by requiring specific actions to correct identified unsafe conditions. This particular AD applies to all Pilatus Porter PC-6 series aircraft with Manufacturers Serial Numbers (MSN) up to and including MSN 939. The directive requires compliance with the instructions outlined in Pilatus Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 27-001, dated 5 June 2002, to address the issue of increased friction in the aileron control system caused by the deterioration of the bond between the bellcrank bearings and their housings. The directive mandates that the required action be taken within 100 hours of the aircraft being in service or within three months from 23 January 2003, whichever occurs first, to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft in question.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly under PART 39 - 105, contain an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, David Alan Villiers. This directive, AD/PC-6/49, pertains specifically to the Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series Aeroplanes, specifically those with Manufacturers Serial Numbers (MSN) up to and including MSN 939 (section 1). The directive is in response to an incident where increased friction in the aileron control system was reported, potentially due to deterioration of the bond between the bellcrank bearings and their housings, which could lead to structural interference and safety risks. Under the AD, the requirement is that the action specified in Pilatus Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 27-001, dated 5 June 2002, must be taken (section 1). This action aims to rectify the unsafe condition identified, ensuring the integrity and functionality of the aileron control system. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service or within 3 months from 23 January 2003, whichever is sooner (section 1). The AD became effective on 23 January 2003, as stated in the compliance section. Operators and owners of the affected Pilatus Porter PC-6 Series Aeroplanes are obligated to ensure that the specified actions are implemented in accordance with the instructions provided in the referenced service bulletin. This includes inspecting and potentially replacing the bellcrank assemblies to prevent axial movement and subsequent structural interference. Failure to comply with the AD may result in the aircraft being considered unairworthy, leading to grounding and potential enforcement actions by CASA. The directive aims to maintain the airworthiness standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are potential consequences for non-compliance with this Airworthiness Directive. Operators and owners who fail to adhere to the specified requirements may face enforcement actions, including fines and penalties, as outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations. The exact penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the AD itself but are subject to the broader regulatory framework and enforcement actions provided by CASA. Ensuring adherence to this directive is crucial for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft.