AD/ROCK-114/7 - Landing Gear Retract Cylinder Retainer and Rod End Lockwasher - Installation

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. One of the regulatory tools within these regulations is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs), which mandate specific safety measures for aircraft types. AD/ROCK-114/7, for example, applies to Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 Series aeroplanes with serial numbers between 14000 and 14314. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns related to the landing gear retract cylinder retainer and rod end lockwasher, requiring compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1978. The policy objective behind these directives is to ensure the continued airworthiness of aircraft by enforcing necessary safety improvements identified through ongoing safety assessments and incident investigations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for certain aircraft, including Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all aircraft within the specified series and serial numbers, namely Model 114 with serial numbers ranging from 14000 to 14314. The directive is concerned with the installation of the Landing Gear Retract Cylinder Retainer and Rod End Lockwasher, requiring compliance within 100 hours of time in service after the effective date of 30 June 1978. This regulation is pertinent to aircraft operators and maintenance entities within the Commonwealth of Australia and operates under the jurisdiction of CASA. No specific exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds are mentioned in the directive, suggesting a broad application to all applicable aircraft within the specified range. The effectiveness and enforcement of this directive may be further detailed or expanded through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105 (F2006B06653), specifically AD/ROCK-114/7, pertain to the installation of a Landing Gear Retract Cylinder Retainer and Rod End Lockwasher on Gulfstream (Rockwell) 114 Series Aeroplanes. The applicability of this directive is limited to aircraft with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 14000 to 14314. The directive references Rockwell International SL No. SL-114-11 as the document outlining the compliance requirements. According to section 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations, compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following 30 June 1978. The obligations imposed by this directive include ensuring that the specified modifications are carried out on the mentioned aircraft models within the stipulated timeframe. This involves the installation of the Landing Gear Retract Cylinder Retainer and Rod End Lockwasher as specified in the referenced Rockwell International document. The directive mandates that these modifications be implemented by appropriately qualified personnel, adhering to the guidelines set forth in the referenced document to ensure the airworthiness of the aircraft. It is crucial that these modifications are completed and verified to maintain the aircraft's compliance with safety standards. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/ROCK-114/7 may result in significant consequences. Under section 95 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives can be considered a breach of safety regulations. The penalties for such breaches can include fines and potential criminal charges, depending on the severity of the non-compliance and its impact on aviation safety. The maximum penalties can vary, but they are designed to enforce strict adherence to the airworthiness standards outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations. Ensuring compliance is thus critical to avoid these serious repercussions.