COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Short SC7 (Skyvan) Series Aeroplanes
AD/SC7/16 Wing Lower Skin/Wing Lift Strut Fairing - Inspection 2/80
Applicability: All Skyvan series 3, 3A and 3M. Document: Shorts SB No. 57-63.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 April 1980 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service until modified in accordance with SB No. 57-64.
Background: Damage to the wing lower skin can occur over a period of time due to incorrect location of the wing lift strut fairing.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia, addressing gaps in safety standards and operational procedures. Part 39, specifically Schedule 105, pertains to airworthiness directives which are legally enforceable rules regarding the design, production, maintenance, and operation of aircraft to ensure safety. The document in question, F2006B06791, is an airworthiness directive issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address specific safety concerns for the Skyvan series 3, 3A, and 3M aeroplanes. This directive aims to mitigate the risk of damage to the wing lower skin by mandating regular inspections of the wing lift strut fairing, ensuring compliance within specified intervals. The underlying policy objective is to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation by proactively addressing potential structural issues in aircraft.
The directive applies to all Skyvan series 3, 3A, and 3M aeroplanes and requires inspections to be carried out within 100 hours after 30 April 1980 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours. Compliance with the directive, as outlined in Shorts Service Bulletin No. 57-63, is essential to prevent damage to the wing lower skin that can arise from incorrect positioning of the wing lift strut fairing. This measure is crucial in maintaining the airworthiness of these aircraft, thereby ensuring the safety of passengers and crew.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety and maintenance of aircraft operating in Australia. Under this legislative framework, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority issues Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure aircraft meet safety standards. One such directive, AD/SC7/16, pertains to the inspection of the wing lower skin and wing lift strut fairing of Skyvan series 3, 3A and 3M aeroplanes. This directive applies to all aircraft within the specified series and mandates compliance with Shorts Service Bulletin No. 57-63. The requirement is for inspections to be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 30 April 1980, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours until the aircraft is modified in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin No. 57-64. The directive aims to mitigate the risk of damage to the wing lower skin, which can result from the incorrect placement of the wing lift strut fairing. The ADs extend the application of the Civil Aviation Regulations and are enforced to uphold the safety standards of aviation operations within Australia.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, address the inspection requirements for Skyvan series 3, 3A, and 3M aeroplanes. Section AD/SC7/16 mandates that these aircraft undergo inspections of the wing lower skin and wing lift strut fairing. This inspection is required within 100 hours of time in service after 30 April 1980 and must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service until modifications are made in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin (SB) No. 57-64. The directive aims to ensure the integrity of the wing lower skin, which can be compromised by the incorrect placement of the wing lift strut fairing over time.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the operators of Skyvan series 3, 3A, and 3M aeroplanes. Operators must ensure that their aircraft comply with the inspection requirements outlined in the Airworthiness Directive AD/SC7/16. This involves conducting inspections within the specified timeframes and ensuring that any identified issues are addressed in accordance with the prescribed service bulletin, SB No. 57-64. The directive is clear that these inspections are not just one-off checks but must be repeated at regular intervals to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Additionally, operators must maintain records of these inspections to demonstrate compliance with the regulations.
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/SC7/16 can result in significant consequences. The Act stipulates that non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives can lead to enforcement actions by CASA. Such actions may include the grounding of the affected aircraft until the required inspections and modifications are completed. Moreover, there are potential civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. Civil penalties can include fines, while criminal penalties might apply in cases of gross negligence or deliberate non-compliance. The specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, but under general aviation regulations, fines can be substantial, and criminal charges could lead to imprisonment. It is essential for operators to adhere strictly to the mandated inspection schedules and procedures to avoid these adverse outcomes.