COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 Series Aeroplanes
AD/ROCK-114/11 Rudder Rib Inspection 2/82
Applicability: All model 114 with S/Nos. 14000 to 14500. Document: Gulfstream American SB No. SB 114-20.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished within the last 100 hours time in service inspect in accordance with Part 1 before further flight and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service until Part II is accomplished.
Background: In service reports of cracks in rudder tip rib at balance weight attachment hole have been received by the manufacturer.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, form the primary regulatory framework governing civil aviation in Australia. Part 39 of these regulations, which addresses Airworthiness Directives, includes AD/ROCK-114/11 aimed specifically at Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 Series aeroplanes. This legislation was introduced to address the identified problem of cracks in the rudder tip rib at the balance weight attachment hole, as reported in service. The policy objective is to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating regular inspections and necessary repairs to prevent structural failures. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority issues these directives to maintain safety standards and mitigate risks associated with identified defects.
The specific Airworthiness Directive AD/ROCK-114/11 mandates that all Gulfstream 114 Series aeroplanes with serial numbers between 14000 and 14500 undergo an inspection of the rudder tip rib at the balance weight attachment hole before further flight and at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until corrective measures are fully implemented. This directive is based on Gulfstream American Service Bulletin No. SB 114-20, ensuring that any detected issues are promptly addressed to maintain the safety and operational integrity of the affected aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes Airworthiness Directives such as AD/ROCK-114/11, which mandates a rudder rib inspection for Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 Series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all model 114 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 14000 to 14500. The directive necessitates inspections unless the required inspection has already been completed within the last 100 hours of time in service, with subsequent inspections to be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours until the specified maintenance is completed. The directive references Gulfstream American Service Bulletin No. SB 114-20 for compliance guidelines. The legislation is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and has a jurisdictional reach across the Commonwealth of Australia. No specific exclusions or exemptions are mentioned in the text, and the directive extends to ensure the safety of the specified aircraft models by addressing reported issues of cracks in the rudder tip rib at the balance weight attachment hole.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address the safety directives for certain aircraft models through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives. One such directive, AD/ROCK-114/11, pertains to the Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 Series Aeroplanes and focuses on the inspection of the rudder rib. According to section 105.125, all aircraft within the specified serial number range (14000 to 14500) must undergo an inspection of the rudder rib, particularly at the balance weight attachment hole, to identify any cracks that may have developed. This inspection is required unless it has already been performed within the last 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service. The inspection must be conducted in accordance with Part 1 of the directive, and subsequent inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of service until the specified maintenance task in Part II of the directive is completed.
The obligations imposed by AD/ROCK-114/11 on the parties governed by this directive are clear and stringent. Operators of the specified Gulfstream 114 Series Aeroplanes are required to ensure that the rudder rib inspection is carried out meticulously as outlined in the directive. This includes performing the inspection either before the aircraft undertakes further flight or within the stipulated intervals thereafter. The directive necessitates adherence to the manufacturer's specifications, as detailed in Gulfstream American Service Bulletin No. SB 114-20, which provides the technical guidelines and procedures to be followed during the inspection process. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in safety risks, thus compromising the airworthiness of the aircraft.
Breaching the requirements set out in AD/ROCK-114/11 can lead to significant civil and potentially criminal consequences. Civil Aviation Regulations are enforced rigorously to ensure compliance, and non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in enforcement actions by CASA. Such actions may include fines, grounding of the aircraft, or more severe measures if the breach is deemed to have endangered safety. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, it is well-understood that non-compliance with CASA directives can have serious ramifications for both operators and manufacturers, potentially leading to severe penalties under Australian aviation law. These penalties may encompass both financial sanctions and restrictions on the operation of the affected aircraft until the deficiencies are rectified.