AD/ROCK-114/1 Amdt 4 - Front Seat and Shoulder Harness

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), introduces Airworthiness Directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/ROCK-114/1 Amendment 4, pertains to the Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the modification of the front seat and shoulder harness systems. This amendment was enacted to address identified safety concerns and resolve issues that had arisen with earlier modifications. The directive applies to all models 114 and 114A with serial numbers ranging from 14000 to 14540, mandating that the modifications be carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1987, but no later than 30 June 1988. The policy objective of this directive is to enhance the safety margin of the aircraft, particularly in survivable accidents, by updating the seat and belt attachments to a higher standard following the issuance of Gulfstream Aerospace Service Bulletin SB-114-21A Rev 1, which was developed in response to overseas accidents where seat occupants were fatally injured despite the seats being considered survivable. The directive reflects CASA's commitment to maintaining and improving aviation safety standards by ensuring that aircraft meet the required safety benchmarks. This amendment aims to prevent similar incidents by addressing the fuselage deflection phenomena specific to the Gulfstream 114 Series design, thereby providing a safer operational environment for flight crews and passengers.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the mandatory modifications for Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 Series aeroplanes. The directive AD/ROCK-114/1 Amendment 4, issued in July 1987, applies to all models 114 and 114A with serial numbers ranging from 14000 to 14540. The primary requirement of this directive is to modify the front seats and their associated shoulder harnesses to enhance safety, adhering to either Rockwell Service Bulletin SB-114-5A or Gulfstream Aerospace SB-114-21A Rev 1. Compliance with these modifications must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following 30 June 1987, but no later than 30 June 1988. This regulation is aimed at addressing specific safety concerns identified in earlier issues and subsequent accidents, ensuring that the aircraft meet the minimum safety standards set by the Australian National Aviation Order 101.22 and beyond, considering the survivability of passengers in potential accidents.

Key Provisions

The key operative section of the AD/ROCK-114/1 Amendment 4, which pertains to the modification of front seat and shoulder harness for Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 Series Aeroplanes, is outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105 (Section 1). This section specifies that the amendment applies to all models 114 and 114A with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 14000 to 14540. The primary requirement of this directive is to modify the front seats and belt attachments in accordance with either Rockwell Service Bulletin SB-114-5A or Gulfstream Aerospace SB-114-21A Rev 1. Compliance with these modifications must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1987, and no later than 30 June 1988. The obligations imposed by this Airworthiness Directive on the parties or entities it governs are clear and specific. Aircraft operators and owners must ensure that the required modifications to the front seats and shoulder harnesses are implemented by the specified deadline. These modifications are necessary to address safety concerns identified in previous accidents, ensuring that the seats and harnesses meet the minimum acceptable safety standards as required by the Aeronautical Notice (ANO) 101.22. Failure to comply with this directive can lead to the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could result in serious operational and legal consequences. The consequences for non-compliance with the AD/ROCK-114/1 Amendment 4 are significant. Breach of this directive may result in severe civil and criminal penalties. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce compliance and may take action against non-compliant aircraft operators, which could include fines, grounding of the aircraft, or even revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate. The exact penalties are not specified in the directive itself but can be severe under Australian aviation law. It is crucial for operators to adhere strictly to the timelines and requirements set forth to avoid these potential repercussions.