COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
PZL M18 Dromader Series Aeroplanes
AD/PZL/2 Aileron Attach Hinges 8/90
Applicability: PZL M18, M18A “Dromader” with S/Nos 1Z 00-101 to 1Z 021-07 inclusive. Requirement: Action in accordance with manufacturer’s Mandatory Engineering Bulletin No K/02.
132/89.
Cracked or deformed hinges are to be replaced before further flight.
Note: The fitting of modified hinges is considered terminating action for this Directive.
Compliance: At the next scheduled inspection for issue of Maintenance Release after 9 August 1990, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 50 hours time in service until modified hinge assemblies are fitted.
Background: The manufacturer reports that cracking has occurred in aileron hinges and considers inspection or modification mandatory.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, form a comprehensive legal framework governing all aspects of civil aviation within Australia. One specific legislative instrument within these regulations, F2006B06411, pertains to Airworthiness Directives for PZL M18 Dromader Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the problem of cracked or deformed aileron attach hinges in these aircraft models. The objective is to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating that any such issues be rectified before further flights are undertaken. Compliance with this directive is to be verified at specific intervals post the directive's issuance, ensuring ongoing adherence to safety standards.
The directive is part of a broader regulatory effort by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to maintain high safety standards in the aviation industry. It specifically targets the PZL M18 and M18A "Dromader" aircraft with serial numbers within the specified range. The directive requires action in accordance with the manufacturer's Mandatory Engineering Bulletin No K/02.132/89, which outlines the necessary modifications to replace cracked or deformed hinges. The fitting of modified hinges is considered terminating action for this directive, highlighting the importance of adhering to the prescribed safety measures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, pertain to the maintenance and safety standards of aircraft operating within Australia's airspace. Specifically, Part 39 - 105, which is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to the PZL M18 Dromader series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 1Z 00-101 to 1Z 021-07 inclusive. The directive mandates that cracked or deformed aileron attach hinges must be replaced to ensure continued airworthiness, in accordance with the manufacturer's Mandatory Engineering Bulletin No K/02.132/89. The requirement necessitates action before further flight, and the fitting of modified hinges is recognised as terminating action for this directive. Compliance must be achieved at the next scheduled inspection for the issuance of a Maintenance Release after 9 August 1990, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service until the modified hinge assemblies are fitted. This regulation underscores the importance of adhering to specified maintenance actions to uphold safety standards in civil aviation.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a directive regarding the airworthiness of the PZL M18 Dromader Series aeroplanes, which is detailed in AD/PZL/2 (s.1). This directive pertains to the aileron attach hinges of PZL M18 and M18A "Dromader" aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 1Z 00-101 to 1Z 021-07 inclusive. The requirement is that any cracked or deformed hinges must be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s Mandatory Engineering Bulletin No K/02.132/89, and this action is mandated before the aircraft can be flown again (s.2). Compliance with this directive is to be achieved by ensuring that the specified modifications are made at the next scheduled inspection following the issuance of the Maintenance Release after 9 August 1990, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service until the modified hinge assemblies are installed (s.3).
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Owners and operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the identified aileron hinges are either replaced or modified as per the manufacturer's instructions. This involves a detailed inspection to identify any cracks or deformations in the hinges, and subsequent action must be taken to replace or modify these parts to meet the standards set forth in the bulletin. The directive also mandates that these actions be recorded and certified as part of the compliance process, ensuring that the aircraft is maintained in an airworthy condition (s.4).
Breaching the requirements set out in AD/PZL/2 could have serious implications. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) could impose penalties on those found to be in non-compliance with the airworthiness directives. The specifics of these penalties are not detailed in the directive but generally could include fines or other administrative actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Additionally, operating an aircraft that does not meet the specified airworthiness standards could result in the aircraft being grounded, preventing it from taking flight until the required modifications are made (s.5). This not only affects the operational readiness of the aircraft but also potentially the safety and compliance records of the operator.