AD/PL 12/1 Amdt 2 - Nose Landing Gear Upper and Lower Pivot Support Assemblies - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted by the Parliament of Australia, form a comprehensive framework designed to regulate the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. One particular aspect of this regulation is found in Part 39, specifically in the Airworthiness Directives. These directives are crucial in ensuring that aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to operate in Australian airspace. The legislation aims to address safety gaps and ensure the highest standards of airworthiness, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the public. The policy objective of these regulations is to mandate strict compliance with safety protocols, thereby mitigating risks associated with aviation operations. This is achieved through regular inspections and maintenance directives, ensuring that aircraft remain in a safe and operational condition at all times.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, applies to all Transavia PL 12 Series aeroplanes, detailing the requirements for maintaining airworthiness through Airworthiness Directives. One such directive, AD/PL 12/1 Amendment 2, mandates a thorough inspection of the nose landing gear upper and lower pivot support assemblies for cracking in the area of the welds. This inspection must be conducted using a 6X magnification lens and is applicable to all models of the specified aircraft series. Compliance with this directive requires the inspection to occur within 10 hours of time in service following 10 September 1973 and then at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service thereafter. The Civil Aviation Regulations extend their jurisdiction across the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby ensuring a uniform standard of airworthiness across all states and territories. Subordinate instruments may further detail specific procedures and standards for compliance with these regulations.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule of Airworthiness Directives, detail mandatory requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of certain aircraft. Under AD/PL 12/1 Amendment 2, it is mandated that all Transavia PL 12 Series aeroplanes undergo a thorough inspection of the nose landing gear upper and lower pivot support assemblies (section 105). The inspection must be performed using a 6X magnification lens to check for any cracking in the weld areas (section 105(2)). This requirement applies to all models within the specified aircraft series (section 105(1)). The Act imposes a clear obligation on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to comply with these inspection intervals. Operators must ensure that the inspections are performed within 10 hours of time in service after 10 September 1973 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service (section 105(3)). These intervals are strict, leaving no room for deviation, and the use of a 6X magnification lens is explicitly required to ensure that any potential issues, such as cracks in the weld areas, are identified. Failure to adhere to the stipulated inspection intervals and methods can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance within the referenced text; however, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in severe civil and criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. In cases of non-compliance, CASA may take enforcement actions, which could include fines, suspension or revocation of an aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to safety incidents or accidents. These penalties underscore the critical importance of adhering to the mandated inspection procedures to ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.