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-114/14 Rudder Spar 6/95
Applicability: Model 114 aircraft with serial numbers 14000 to 14499, inclusive.
Requirement: 1. Visually inspect the rudder spar near the upper hinge fitting for signs of cracking. Check for excessive movement by attempting to move the rudder tip fore and aft and left to right.
2 (a). Remove the rudder assembly from the aircraft as outlined in the Maintenance Manual, Section VII. Remove the rudder tip assembly and the upper hinge fitting. Inspect the forward face of the rudder spar web, bend radius, flanges and angle doublers P/N 44006-RE3, if installed, for cracks in the area of the upper hinge fitting attachment. Inspect using the dye penetrant method in accordance with Rockwell Service Letter SL-114-17 and CAO 108.10.
Cracks, including stop drilled cracks, which extend beyond installed angle doublers, P/N 44006-RE3, must be repaired by replacement of the rudder spar before further flight.
2 (b). Modify the rudder spar upper hinge attachment area by installing angle doublers P/N 44006-RE3 in accordance with Rockwell SL-114-17, Figure 1. The rudder spar must be free of cracks before modification.
Any spar with angle doublers installed shall be regarded as cracked unless it can be positively confirmed that the rudder spar was crack free when the angle doublers were installed.
Compliance: 1. Inspect in accordance with Requirement 1 within 10 hours time in service after 25 May 1995.
2. Initially inspect in accordance with Requirement 2(a) before 100 hours time in service after 25 May 1995. Re-inspect at intervals not to exceed 200 hours time in service until modified in accordance with Requirement 2(b).
Background: The Authority has received reports of cracking of the rudder spar in the region of the upper hinge fitting. Substantial cracking was found on one aircraft 1500 hours time in service after compliance with AD/ROCK-114/10 with no defects found. This Directive requires repeat inspections of the hinge fitting area until the rudder spar is modified to the later production standard.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation. Part 39 - 105 specifically addresses the scheduling of airworthiness directives to maintain aircraft safety standards. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued AD/ROCK-114/14 concerning the rudder spar of Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers 14000 to 14499. This directive was introduced in response to reports of rudder spar cracking near the upper hinge fitting, which posed a safety risk. The policy objective is to mandate regular inspections and, where necessary, modifications to the rudder spar to prevent further cracking and ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft. Compliance with this directive is crucial to address the identified safety issues and maintain operational safety standards within the specified fleet.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses the maintenance and inspection requirements for the Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 Series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all Model 114 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 14000 to 14499, inclusive, mandating specific actions to ensure the safety of these aircraft. The directive necessitates visual inspections and detailed checks of the rudder spar near the upper hinge fitting for any signs of cracking, as well as assessing the movement of the rudder tip. Furthermore, it requires the removal and inspection of the rudder assembly and associated components, with the requirement that any cracks extending beyond installed angle doublers must be rectified by replacing the rudder spar entirely. Additionally, the directive mandates modifying the rudder spar upper hinge attachment area by installing specific angle doublers to enhance the structural integrity of the spar. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within specified timeframes post the directive's implementation date of 25 May 1995, with periodic inspections ensuring ongoing airworthiness.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes AD/ROCK-114/14, which pertains to the rudder spar of Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 Series Aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers 14000 to 14499. The directive (AD/ROCK-114/14) requires a visual inspection of the rudder spar near the upper hinge fitting for any signs of cracking and excessive movement. This inspection should be carried out within 10 hours of time in service after 25 May 1995 (Regulation 1). Additionally, the rudder assembly must be removed, and the forward face of the rudder spar web, bend radius, flanges, and any angle doublers must be inspected for cracks using the dye penetrant method as per Rockwell Service Letter SL-114-17 and CAO 108.10. This inspection is required before 100 hours of time in service after 25 May 1995 and should be repeated at intervals not exceeding 200 hours until the spar is modified.
The entities governed by this Act, primarily aircraft maintenance personnel and owners, must ensure that the inspections and modifications are conducted as specified. This includes adhering to the procedures outlined in the Maintenance Manual, Section VII, for removing the rudder assembly and installing the necessary angle doublers (P/N 44006-RE3) to prevent further cracking (Regulation 2(b)). Furthermore, any cracks found beyond the installed angle doublers must be repaired by replacing the rudder spar before further flight.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/ROCK-114/14 could result in serious safety risks. While the regulations do not explicitly state specific penalties, non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to severe consequences, including grounding of the aircraft, fines, and potential criminal charges. The severity of the penalties depends on the extent of the non-compliance and its impact on aviation safety. CASA takes a stringent approach to ensure that all aircraft maintain the highest safety standards, and any breaches can have significant legal ramifications for those responsible.