COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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.
SAAB “Safir” Series Aeroplanes
AD/SAAB/6 Elevator Spar 7/2002
Applicability: All Model Safir 91B, 91B2, 91C, and 91D aircraft.
Requirement: Inspect in accordance with SAAB Service Bulletin No. 91.1.004 Issue 2.
Note: LFV AD 1832 refers.
Compliance: Unless the initial inspection is already accomplished, before 31 July 2002. Thereafter re-inspect at intervals not to exceed 200 hours time in service until a repair is accomplished in accordance with the Requirement document.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 11 July 2002.
Background: A recent check of foreign airworthiness directives received by the Authority revealed that several in the SAAB Safir series had never been received and assessed. This Directive requires inspections of the attachment of the bearing assembly of the left and right elevators for cracks and deformation and specifies a repair method if damage is detected.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 31 May 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 June 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) were enacted to provide comprehensive regulation of civil aviation activities within Australia, ensuring safety and efficiency in the sector. One specific aspect of these regulations is addressed through Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These directives are a critical tool for CASA, enabling it to mandate specific actions to address identified safety issues with aircraft or aeronautical products. The AD/SAAB/6 for the Saab "Safir" Series Aeroplanes, issued on 31 May 2002 and effective from 11 July 2002, is a direct response to a discovered gap in the oversight of certain Saab Safir models. This directive requires inspections of the elevator spar to detect and address potential cracks and deformations, aiming to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aircraft. The directive was issued under the authority of subregulation 39.1(1) of the CAR 1998, reflecting CASA’s commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards in Australian civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to airworthiness directives issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in the Commonwealth of Australia. This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to all Model Safir 91B, 91B2, 91C, and 91D aircraft, requiring specific inspections and potential repairs to the elevator spar. The directive mandates that inspections be carried out in accordance with SAAB Service Bulletin No. 91.1.004 Issue 2, with the initial inspection required before 31 July 2002, and subsequent inspections to occur at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service until a repair is performed as specified. The AD aims to address safety concerns identified in the attachment of the bearing assembly of the left and right elevators, focusing on detecting cracks and deformation, and ensuring that any necessary repairs are completed. The directive becomes effective from 11 July 2002 and is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 June 2002.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The primary focus here is on the AD/SAAB/6 for the Saab "Safir" Series Aeroplanes, particularly concerning the elevator spar. According to section 39.1 (1), this Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandates specific actions to correct identified safety issues. For the Saab Safir 91B, 91B2, 91C, and 91D aircraft, inspections must be conducted as outlined in SAAB Service Bulletin No. 91.1.004 Issue 2 to identify and address any potential cracks or deformation in the elevator spar attachment bearing assembly. This requirement underscores the importance of regular and thorough inspections to ensure the aircraft’s airworthiness.
The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and stringent. Aircraft operators must ensure that the specified inspections are conducted either before 31 July 2002 if they have not already been completed, or at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service thereafter until a repair is performed. The directive mandates adherence to the inspection procedures detailed in the SAAB Service Bulletin, which includes specific instructions and guidelines to be followed meticulously. This ongoing requirement ensures that any issues with the elevator spar are identified and addressed promptly to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the AD/SAAB/6 could result in severe consequences. The AD stipulates that non-compliance may lead to violations of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, potentially resulting in civil or criminal penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD itself, the overarching regulations under which it operates provide for substantial fines and, in some cases, imprisonment for serious breaches. The directive's aim is to enforce strict adherence to safety standards, ensuring that all necessary inspections and repairs are conducted to mitigate any risk to aviation safety.