AD/SC7/12 - Fin/Tailplane Attachment - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, aim to regulate civil aviation activities to ensure safety and compliance with international standards. Specifically, Part 39, which pertains to airworthiness directives, addresses issues that are critical to maintaining the safety of aircraft operations. This includes issuing mandatory directives to rectify identified safety deficiencies. The Airworthiness Directive (AD) SC7/12, which concerns the inspection of the fin/tailplane attachment for Short SC7 (Skyvan) Series Aeroplanes, was introduced to address a safety concern related to the bolts connecting the fin to the tailplane. These bolts had been found to be inadequately tightened, potentially compromising the structural integrity of the aircraft. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure that the specified inspections are carried out within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service after 31 October 1979, thereby mitigating the risk of in-flight failures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD/SC7/12) specifically pertains to Short SC7 (Skyvan) Series Aeroplanes, including models 3, 3A, and 3M, to ensure their airworthiness. This legislative instrument mandates an inspection of the bolts connecting the fin to the tailplane within 100 hours of time in service following 31 October 1979. This directive applies to all relevant aircraft within its scope, requiring compliance to address the identified issue of bolts not being fully tightened. The directive is part of the broader Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and operates under the Commonwealth of Australia, enforcing strict safety standards to mitigate any risks associated with the specified structural component of these aircraft. The applicability of this directive is clear and unambiguous, targeting all operators and owners of the specified Skyvan series aeroplanes.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that are crucial for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. Specifically, AD/SC7/12 pertains to the Short SC7 (Skyvan) Series aeroplanes, focusing on the inspection of the fin/tailplane attachment (Section 8/79). This directive applies to all Skyvan series 3, 3A, and 3M aircraft and references the Short Service Bulletin No. 55-53 as the document outlining the necessary compliance details. The directive requires that the bolts connecting the fin to the tailplane be inspected within 100 hours of time in service after 31 October 1979. This is to ensure that these critical components are securely fastened, following reports that some bolts have been found not fully tightened. The mandate underscores the importance of maintaining stringent safety standards for these aircraft to prevent potential in-flight issues. Entities governed by this Act, such as aircraft operators and maintenance providers, must ensure that inspections are conducted in accordance with the specified timeframe. This involves meticulous examination of the bolts in question to verify that they meet the required tightness standards. Proper documentation of the inspection process and any corrective actions taken must be maintained to demonstrate compliance with the directive. Failure to comply with AD/SC7/12 can result in significant legal and safety repercussions. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may impose penalties for non-compliance, including fines and other sanctions. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the breach and any resultant safety risks, but they are designed to enforce adherence to safety standards and maintain the high level of aviation safety expected in Australia.