Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which governs the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, was enacted to address safety issues in civil aviation and to ensure compliance with international standards. The regulation aims to mitigate risks associated with aircraft operations by mandating specific inspections and modifications for particular aircraft models. This legislative instrument was introduced by the Australian Government to reinforce the safety framework within the aviation industry, particularly concerning the Robin Aviation Series Aeroplanes, and it was developed in response to reports of engine mount cracking. The policy objective is to maintain the airworthiness of these aircraft by requiring close visual inspections and modifications to prevent structural failure. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 are administered by the Australian Government through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which operates under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. This specific amendment to the regulations, AD/ROBIN/5 Amendment 1, targets model 2160 of the Robin Aviation Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the engine mount. The amendment requires daily visual inspections for cracks in the vibration isolator brackets and mandates modifications within a specified timeframe to ensure compliance. The directive aims to address the identified safety concerns by ensuring that any necessary repairs are carried out promptly, thus maintaining the integrity and safety of the aircraft in operation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Robin Aviation Series Aeroplanes, model 2160, within the Commonwealth of Australia. This legislation mandates the inspection and modification of the engine mount in these aircraft to address reported instances of cracking in the area of the vibration isolator brackets. The requirement includes a close visual inspection of the specified area for cracks and mandates modifications to the engine mount according to an approved scheme, with a specific reference to the "Reinforcement of Engine Mount Vibration Isolator Brackets" plan by Avions Pierre Robin Inc. of Canada. The inspections must be carried out at each daily inspection until the modification is completed, with the modification itself to be executed within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1983. Notably, this inspection can be conducted by the pilot-in-command, who must document the precise AD reference in a certification made on the Maintenance Release. The legislation extends its application through subordinate instruments, ensuring comprehensive compliance and safety within the regulated aviation industry.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, contain specific Airworthiness Directives (ADs) governing the maintenance and safety of aircraft. One such directive is AD/ROBIN/5 Amendment 1, which applies to all model 2160 Robin Aviation Series Aeroplanes. This directive (section 1) mandates a close visual inspection of the engine mount, specifically focusing on the area of the vibration isolator brackets to check for any cracks in the welded isolator/tube attachment. Additionally, it requires the engine mount to be modified according to a scheme approved by the Secretary, with an acceptable scheme being the Plan 51-40-30 “Reinforcement of Engine Mount Vibration Isolator Brackets” by Avions Pierre Robin Inc. Canada (section 2). Compliance with AD/ROBIN/5 Amendment 1 involves two primary obligations. Firstly, a daily inspection must be conducted of the engine mount in the specified area. This inspection is necessary until the engine mount is modified (section 3). Secondly, the engine mount must be modified within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1983 (section 4). This inspection requirement may be fulfilled by the pilot-in-command, provided that the precise AD reference is documented in the certification made on the Maintenance Release corresponding to the daily inspection (section 5). Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in AD/ROBIN/5 Amendment 1 can lead to significant legal consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the legislative instrument, under broader regulations, breaches of airworthiness directives can result in civil or criminal penalties. The potential consequences may include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the court. The exact penalties would be determined based on the relevant sections of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and other applicable legislation.