AD/SC7/18 - Ground/Air Lever Spring Heel Block - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (as amended) were enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia to regulate the safety of civil aviation in Australia. One of the instruments under this Act is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes AD/SC7/18 concerning the Short SC7 (Skyvan) Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns related to the ground/air lever spring heel block in these aircraft models. The policy objective is to ensure the highest standards of airworthiness and safety for the operation of civil aircraft within Australia. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with all affected models required to undergo a specified modification within 300 hours of time in service after 31 March 1981. This reflects the commitment to maintaining rigorous safety standards and ensuring the integrity of the aircraft's operational components.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, apply to all aircraft models within the SC7 (Skyvan) Series, including SC7, Series 3, 3A and 3M. This legislation mandates the compliance with the Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under AD/SC7/18 concerning the modification of the ground/air lever spring heel block. The directive requires compliance within 300 hours of time in service following 31 March 1981, aligning with the manufacturer's development of an improved method to secure the retaining pin, as outlined in Shorts SB No. 76-58, Revision No. 1. This mandatory bulletin was classified as such by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The regulations are enforced nationally under the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring a standardised approach to civil aviation safety across the country.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, provides detailed provisions regarding the maintenance and airworthiness of aircraft, including the issuance of airworthiness directives (ADs). One such directive is AD/SC7/18, which applies to all models of the Shorts SC7 Series 3, 3A, and 3M aeroplanes. This AD concerns the modification of the ground/air lever spring heel block, as outlined in the manufacturer's bulletin Shorts SB No. 76-58, Revision No. 1 (section 105.01). The directive requires compliance within 300 hours of time in service after 31 March 1981 (section 105.02). The key provision in this directive mandates that operators of the affected aircraft must ensure the modification of the ground/air lever spring heel block is completed as specified in the manufacturer's bulletin. This modification is necessary to improve the security of the retaining pin, an essential safety feature, which has been developed by the manufacturer and classified as mandatory by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (section 105.03). Operators are required to follow the instructions and timeline stipulated in the bulletin to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft (section 105.04). Operators of the SC7 Series aeroplanes must ensure that the specified modification is carried out by certified personnel within the required timeframe. This involves verifying that all relevant documentation is up to date, and that the modification adheres to the standards set forth in the manufacturer's bulletin. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential grounding and further regulatory action (section 105.05). Breaches of the airworthiness directives, including AD/SC7/18, may result in serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can lead to penalties for both individuals and corporations. The maximum penalty for corporations can be substantial, reaching up to several thousand Australian dollars, while individuals may face personal fines. Additionally, non-compliance can result in civil or criminal charges, leading to further legal repercussions, including potential disqualification from operating aircraft (section 105.06). The regulatory authority may also take enforcement actions, such as issuing notices, imposing fines, or even prosecuting those responsible for failing to comply with the airworthiness directives.