AD/PITTS S-2/11 Amdt 1 - Aileron Spar - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by F2006B06240, address specific safety concerns in civil aviation, particularly those associated with aircraft maintenance and airworthiness. This legislative instrument targets the Pitts S-1 and S-2 series aeroplanes, introducing mandatory inspection and modification procedures for the aileron spars. The regulation aims to ensure that all models with metal aileron spars undergo a thorough inspection and necessary modifications at the hinge bracket attachment, as per Pitts Service Letter No. 4. This measure was introduced to enhance the structural integrity and safety of these aircraft, thereby mitigating potential risks associated with aileron failures. The enactment of this regulation by the Commonwealth of Australia, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, underscores a commitment to stringent safety standards in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Pitts S-1 and S-2 series aeroplanes, mandating inspections and modifications for their aileron spars. This regulation is applicable to all models of Pitts S-1 and S-2 aeroplanes equipped with metal aileron spars, ensuring that these components are inspected and modified at the hinge bracket attachment in accordance with Pitts Service Letter No. 4. Compliance with these directives is mandatory for all affected aircraft unless the inspection and modification have already been performed, with the requirement to complete these actions within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1977. The scope of this regulation is national, extending across all jurisdictions in Australia where civil aviation is regulated under Commonwealth law. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the scope of this directive, and it does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments beyond the specified compliance period.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, section 105, outlines the Airworthiness Directives for Pitts S-1 and S-2 Series Aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/PITTS S-2/11 Amendment 1, pertains to the inspection and modification of aileron spars (section 2/77). This directive applies to all models equipped with metal aileron spars (section 2/77). The requirement is to inspect and modify the aileron spars at the hinge bracket attachment following Pitts Service Letter No. 4 (section 2/77). This directive leverages the similarity in aileron construction at the hinge bracket attachment, allowing the use of Service Letter No. 4 across all Pitts model S-1 and S-2 aeroplanes for this specific inspection and modification task (section 2/77). The Airworthiness Directive imposes obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to ensure that the inspection and modification of aileron spars are conducted as per the specified timeline and method (section 2/77). Compliance with this directive is mandatory unless the inspection and modification have already been completed. Operators must ensure that the inspection and modification are carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 28 February 1977 (section 2/77). This directive aims to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft by addressing a specific structural issue in the aileron spars. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/PITTS S-2/11 Amendment 1 may result in legal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can generally lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. These actions can include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges for serious violations. The exact penalties would depend on the severity of the non-compliance and any subsequent investigations or legal proceedings.