AD/PROCTOR/7 (Re-Issue) - Wing Centre Section - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, were enacted by the Australian Government to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft operating within Australian airspace. This legislation, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aims to address gaps in aircraft safety by issuing Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that require compliance from aircraft operators. AD/PROCTOR/7, concerning the Percival Proctor Series Aeroplanes, is an example of such directives, ensuring that specific structural components, like the wing centre section, meet prescribed safety standards to prevent potential in-flight failures. This particular directive targets aircraft that have not been modified according to Proctor Modification No. C1205, mandating an inspection of the gap between the centre section nose and the outer plane to prevent the top pin from rotating and partially withdrawing. If the inspection reveals an unacceptable gap, operators must modify the flange of the joint pin safety bracket as per Proctor Modification No. C1205 or DCA/PROCTOR/7. Compliance with these safety directives is mandatory and must be achieved forthwith to maintain airworthiness.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, under Part 39 - 105, mandate specific airworthiness directives for the Percival Proctor Series Aeroplanes, with AD/PROCTOR/7 focusing on the inspection of the wing centre section. This directive applies to all Percival Proctor Series Aeroplanes that have not been modified according to Proctor Modification No. C1205, ensuring that these aircraft meet safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this regulation is nationwide, applying to all aircraft operating within Australian airspace. The requirement stipulates a detailed inspection of the gap between the centre section nose and the outer plane, ensuring that it is not excessively large to the point of allowing the top pin to rotate and partially withdraw. If the inspection reveals a gap that is too large, the regulation mandates modification of the flange of the joint pin safety bracket as per Proctor Modification No. C1205 or A.N.O. 105.1.26.2.6.2. Compliance with these directives is immediate, ensuring that aircraft maintain their airworthiness and safety standards at all times.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate that all Percival Proctor Series aeroplanes must adhere to the Airworthiness Directives (AD) concerning the wing centre section. AD/PROCTOR/7 (Re-Issue) focuses on the inspection and necessary modifications to ensure safety (Part 39 - 105, Section 6/50). The directive applies to all Proctor aeroplanes that have not been modified according to Proctor Modification No. C1205. The primary requirement is an inspection of the gap between the centre section nose and the outer plane. It must be checked to ensure that it is not large enough to permit the top pin to rotate and partially withdraw. If this gap is found to be too large, the directive requires that the flange of the joint pin safety bracket be modified in accordance with Proctor Modification No. C1205, or alternatively, using DCA/PROCTOR/7, or A.N.O. 105.1.26.2.6.2. The obligations under this directive are clear and stringent. Operators of Percival Proctor Series aeroplanes must conduct the specified inspection and any necessary modifications immediately. The compliance requirement is explicit, with the directive stating that actions must be taken forthwith (Part 39 - 105, Section 6/50). This ensures that any potential safety issues are addressed promptly, reducing the risk of in-flight incidents. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/PROCTOR/7 can result in severe consequences. The regulations do not explicitly outline penalties for non-compliance in the provided text, but non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions can include fines, operational restrictions, or even grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are made. The exact penalties would be determined based on the specific circumstances and the severity of the non-compliance, but they are intended to ensure that all aircraft meet the necessary safety standards.