COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Robin Aviation Series Aeroplanes
AD/ROBIN/10
Amdt 1
Control Column Assembly Welds 8/86
Applicability: All Models R2000 series.
Requirement: Inspect the “Stick bottom tube” P/No. 27.40.12.000 using fluorescent penetrant, for cracking of the weld and/or the tubing in the area of the upper “T” junction of the horizontal and vertical legs. “R2000 Spare Parts Catalogue” 1980 Edition, Rev. 6, Plate 2, page 8 item 41 refers.
Compliance: Prior to issue of Certificate of Airworthiness.
Background: The initial issue of this Directive was raised following reports of cracking and of a possible failure in the welded steel tube assembly. The failed column has since been found to have no evidence of any pre-existing defect, and a fleet inspection has found no evidence of any other cracking. The repetitive inspection requirement has therefore been deleted.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. One of the legislative instruments issued under these regulations is F2006B06607, which pertains to the Airworthiness Directives for Robin Aviation Series Aeroplanes, specifically targeting control column assembly welds in the R2000 series models. This legislation was introduced to address the identified problem of potential cracking in the welded steel tube assembly of the control columns, which could compromise the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft. The Australian Parliament, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, established these regulations to maintain a high standard of airworthiness, ensuring that all aircraft meet necessary safety standards before being granted a Certificate of Airworthiness. The policy objective behind these directives is to mitigate any risk of in-flight failures by mandating regular inspections and maintenance of critical components.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Robin Aviation Series R2000 aeroplanes, mandating strict adherence to the Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This particular directive, AD/ROBIN/10 Amendment 1, focuses on the inspection of the control column assembly welds to ensure there are no cracks at the upper "T" junction of the horizontal and vertical legs of the "Stick bottom tube" P/No. 27.40.12.000. This requirement is crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of these aircraft and ensuring safety standards are upheld prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Airworthiness. The directive emerged in response to prior incidents involving cracking and potential failures in the welded steel tube assembly, although subsequent inspections have not found any further evidence of such defects. The regulation's application is limited geographically to the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with potential extensions or modifications through subordinate instruments as necessary to address emerging safety concerns.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandates the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. One such directive, AD/ROBIN/10 Amendment 1, pertains to Robin Aviation Series Aeroplanes, particularly those in the R2000 series. Section 1 of this directive requires an inspection of the "Stick bottom tube" P/No. 27.40.12.000 using fluorescent penetrant to detect any cracking of the weld and/or the tubing in the area of the upper "T" junction of the horizontal and vertical legs. This inspection must be carried out as per the "R2000 Spare Parts Catalogue" 1980 Edition, Rev. 6, Plate 2, page 8 item 41.
Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be completed prior to the issue of a Certificate of Airworthiness (Section 2). This means that any owner or operator of an R2000 series Robin Aviation aeroplane must ensure that the specified inspection is performed by a qualified individual or entity to ascertain that the control column assembly meets the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/ROBIN/10 Amendment 1 can lead to significant consequences. Section 3 of the directive establishes that non-compliance could result in the refusal of a Certificate of Airworthiness, which is a critical document for the legal operation of an aircraft. Additionally, under Section 4, there may be enforcement actions taken against the parties or entities that fail to adhere to the directive, potentially leading to administrative or legal penalties. The exact nature and severity of these penalties are not specified in the directive itself but are likely to be determined under the broader regulatory framework provided by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.