COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
SAAB Safir Series Aeroplanes
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/SAAB/4 Main Landing Gear Operation 8/2000
Applicability: All Safir 91A, 91B, 91B-2, 91C and 91D series aircraft.
Requirement: Inspect the main landing gear for correct function in accordance with procedures in Safir Service Bulletin 91.2.006 dated 28 April, 2000.
Note: Swedish Airworthiness Directive SAD No 1-154R1 refers.
Compliance: Unless previously accomplished, within 75 flights after the effective date of this Directive or by 30 April 2001, whichever occurs first.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 10 August 2000.
Background: The manufacturer has reported the unintentional collapse of the undercarriage after landing. This resulted in damage to the landing gear, aircraft structure, engine and propeller assembly.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 4 July 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 12 July 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, were established to regulate the safety standards in civil aviation across the country. This legislation is intended to ensure that aircraft and aviation products meet the necessary safety requirements, thereby protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the aviation industry. One specific aspect of these regulations is detailed in Part 39, which includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These ADs address identified safety issues and mandate corrective actions to be taken to rectify any unsafe conditions found in specific aircraft models. The policy objective behind these regulations is to ensure that all civil aviation operations adhere to the highest safety standards, thus preventing accidents and maintaining the safety of all those involved in air travel.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, pertains specifically to all Saab Safir 91A, 91B, 91B-2, 91C, and 91D series aeroplanes. It mandates that an inspection of the main landing gear be conducted to ensure its correct function, as per the procedures outlined in Safir Service Bulletin 91.2.006 dated 28 April 2000. The directive responds to reports of unintentional collapse of the undercarriage post-landing, which has caused damage to the landing gear, aircraft structure, engine, and propeller assembly. This requirement must be met within 75 flights following the directive's effective date of 10 August 2000, or by 30 April 2001, whichever is earlier. The directive applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia and is published to ensure compliance across relevant aviation entities and operators.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, sets out the requirements for issuing Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. Under section 39.1(1), a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can issue an AD when it is necessary to correct an unsafe condition. For instance, AD/SAAB/4 dated 8 August 2000, targets all Safir 91A, 91B, 91B-2, 91C, and 91D series aircraft. This particular directive mandates an inspection of the main landing gear to ensure proper functionality, in accordance with procedures detailed in Safir Service Bulletin 91.2.006 from 28 April 2000.
The AD/SAAB/4 requires operators of the specified Safir series aircraft to inspect the main landing gear following the detailed procedures in the referenced service bulletin. This inspection must be completed unless it has already been performed, within 75 flights after the effective date of the directive, which is 10 August 2000, or by 30 April 2001, whichever comes first. This directive was issued due to reports of unintentional undercarriage collapse post-landing, which led to significant damage to the landing gear, aircraft structure, engine, and propeller assembly.
Operators and owners of the affected Safir series aircraft must ensure compliance with AD/SAAB/4 by conducting the necessary inspections within the stipulated timeframe. Failure to comply with the AD could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding and further regulatory action. Operators are also required to document and maintain records of compliance with this AD, as non-compliance may result in enforcement actions by CASA.
Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, failure to comply with an AD can result in severe consequences. Operators who do not adhere to the requirements set forth in an AD may face civil penalties, including fines and potential prosecution. The maximum penalties can vary depending on the specific breach and the discretion of the court, but they can be significant. Additionally, failure to comply with an AD can lead to the aircraft being grounded, which would prevent it from operating until the required actions are completed and CASA has approved the return to service.