COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Transavia PL 12 Series Aeroplanes
AD/PL 12/19 Stub Wing Internal Structure - Inspection
and Re-Protection
7/80
Applicability: All PL-12 Series. Document: Transavia SB No. 30.
Compliance: 1. For aircraft which have achieved 3 years time in service since manufacture, initially inspect not later than the next major inspection and thereafter in accordance with SB No. 30.
2. For other aircraft, initially inspect not later than next major inspection after achieving 3 years time in service after manufacture and thereafter in accordance with SB No. 30.
Background: Corrosion of the interior structure of the steel stub wing has been observed in some aircraft.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and enacted by the Parliament of Australia, address the need for stringent safety standards in civil aviation to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft. One specific area of focus is the management of corrosion within aircraft structures, as exemplified by the Airworthiness Directive AD/PL 12/19. This directive, applicable to Transavia PL 12 Series aeroplanes, was introduced to address the observed corrosion of the interior structure of the steel stub wing, which could compromise the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate regular inspections and necessary re-protection measures to mitigate the risk of corrosion, thereby enhancing the overall safety and reliability of the affected aircraft fleet.
The directive stipulates that inspections must be conducted at specific intervals based on the aircraft's time in service, with detailed compliance requirements outlined in Transavia Service Bulletin No. 30. This approach aims to proactively identify and rectify potential corrosion issues, ensuring that the aircraft continue to meet the stringent safety standards set forth by CASA. By implementing these measures, the legislation seeks to protect passengers, crew, and the public from the hazards associated with structural failures due to corrosion in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, mandate the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that ensure the ongoing safety and airworthiness of aircraft within the Australian aviation sector. One such AD, AD/PL 12/19, pertains to the Transavia PL 12 Series aeroplanes and addresses the inspection and re-protection of the stub wing internal structure to mitigate corrosion risks. This directive applies to all aircraft within the PL-12 Series, regardless of the operator, whether private or commercial. The geographic scope of this regulation is nationwide, ensuring that all PL-12 aircraft registered in Australia adhere to these safety standards. The directive does not specify exclusions or exemptions but mandates inspections for aircraft achieving 3 years in service since manufacture, with subsequent inspections following the guidelines outlined in Transavia Service Bulletin No. 30. Compliance with these inspections is critical to maintaining the structural integrity of the aircraft and ensuring safety across the Australian aviation industry.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which mandate specific safety measures for aircraft types. In this context, the regulation AD/PL 12/19 focuses on the Transavia PL 12 Series aeroplanes, addressing the inspection and re-protection of the stub wing internal structure to mitigate corrosion risks (Section 39-105). This directive is applicable to all PL-12 Series aircraft and references Transavia Service Bulletin No. 30 for compliance details.
The main requirements outlined in the directive include conducting an initial inspection of the stub wing internal structure for aircraft that have reached 3 years in service since manufacture (Section 39-105(1)). This inspection must occur no later than the next major inspection. For other aircraft, the initial inspection should be conducted no later than the next major inspection after achieving 3 years in service since manufacture. Subsequent inspections are to be carried out in accordance with the instructions provided in Transavia Service Bulletin No. 30 (Section 39-105(2)).
Compliance with AD/PL 12/19 involves specific obligations for the parties governed by the regulation. Aircraft operators must ensure that the initial inspection is completed within the specified timeframes. Furthermore, operators must adhere to the inspection and re-protection procedures outlined in Transavia Service Bulletin No. 30 for all subsequent inspections. These obligations are critical to maintaining the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft, ensuring that the structural integrity of the stub wing is regularly assessed and maintained.
Failure to comply with AD/PL 12/19 may result in various consequences. While the regulation itself does not explicitly state specific penalties for non-compliance, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally falls under broader aviation safety regulations. Violations can lead to enforcement actions by CASA, which may include fines, enforcement notices, or other regulatory measures. In severe cases, non-compliance could also result in the grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections and repairs are completed, thereby impacting the operator's ability to conduct flights.