AD/ROBIN/13 - Vertical Stabiliser Spar

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 enacted a legislative instrument to address an identified safety issue concerning the vertical stabiliser spar on Robin R2000 aircraft. The instrument, AD/ROBIN/13, was introduced to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft by requiring compliance with the technical directives set out by the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) AD 90-224(A). This follows reports of cracks on the vertical stabiliser spar at the lower fitting of the rudder, prompting the need for immediate action to maintain safety standards. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate specific actions that ensure the structural integrity of the Robin R2000 series aeroplanes, thereby mitigating potential risks and ensuring compliance by a specified date.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to all models of Robin R2000 aircraft, a specific series of aeroplanes. The directive mandates compliance with the technical requirements set out in DGAC AD 90-224(A), with a reference to Robin Service Bulletin 120. This directive is particularly concerned with addressing field reports of cracks on the vertical stabiliser spar at the lower fitting of the rudder, necessitating corrective action. Compliance is required as per the specifications in the Requirement Document, which came into effect on 30 January 1991. This regulatory instrument extends its jurisdictional reach across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all relevant aircraft within the specified models adhere to the stipulated safety directives. The applicability of the directive is national, encompassing all relevant entities and industries involved with the operation and maintenance of Robin R2000 aeroplanes in Australia.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, outlines an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive in question, AD/ROBIN/13, pertains to all models of Robin R2000 aircraft and focuses on the vertical stabiliser spar. According to section 105.13, the directive mandates that the technical requirements of DGAC AD 90-22-4(A) must be adhered to, with reference to Robin Service Bulletin (SB) 120 for compliance details. This directive was issued due to field reports of cracks on the vertical stabiliser spar at the lower fitting of the rudder, with an effective date of 30 January 1991. The directive imposes obligations on aircraft owners and operators to ensure that the vertical stabiliser spar of their Robin R2000 aircraft is inspected and, if necessary, repaired or replaced in accordance with the specified technical requirements. The directive mandates compliance with the actions outlined in the Requirement Document, which includes detailed instructions on how to identify, inspect, and address any defects or potential issues with the vertical stabiliser spar. This ensures that the aircraft maintain the necessary safety standards and airworthiness criteria set by CASA. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/ROBIN/13 may result in severe consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. For instance, if an aircraft is operated in a non-compliant state, it could be considered an offence under Section 36, which carries a maximum penalty of 2,000 penalty units for corporations and 200 penalty units for individuals. Additionally, CASA may issue enforcement actions, including fines or grounding of the aircraft, to ensure compliance and safety standards are maintained.