Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, was enacted to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australian airspace. The Act was introduced to address safety concerns and to maintain high standards in civil aviation by issuing regulations and directives that mandate inspections, modifications, and compliance checks on aircraft components. This legislative instrument is overseen by the Commonwealth of Australia and is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The policy objective behind this specific regulation, AD/SD3-30/11, is to mitigate the risk of wear and failure in flexible brake hoses that could potentially compromise the safety of flight operations. The Airworthiness Directive issued under this regulation applies to all models of the SD3-30 series with serial numbers ranging from SH3002 to SH3063. The directive mandates inspections and modifications to the flexible brake hoses on the main landing gear beam to prevent wear caused by friction. Compliance is required within 300 hours of time in service following 30 June 1982, as referenced in Shorts Service Bulletin No. SD3-32-92, Revision 1.6/82. This directive aims to ensure that any issues with the flexible brake hoses are identified and rectified promptly, thereby enhancing the overall safety and reliability of the aircraft in question.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establishes the scope and application of Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This particular directive, AD/SD3-30/11, pertains to all models of SD3-30 series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from SH3002 to SH3063. The directive mandates the inspection and potential modification of flexible brake hoses on the main landing gear beam to address instances where these hoses have rubbed against the beam, leading to wear in the internal bore. Compliance with this directive is mandatory unless the specified action has already been carried out, and it must be completed within 300 hours of time in service following 30 June 1982. The directive is supported by Shorts Service Bulletin No. SD3-32-92, revision 1.6/82, which provides further details on the required procedures and modifications. The regulation applies nationally, encompassing all operators within the Commonwealth of Australia who are subject to the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, contain specific Airworthiness Directives (AD) aimed at ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. One such AD is AD/SD3-30/11, which pertains to flexible brake hoses and main landing gear beams on specific models of aeroplanes. Section (1) of this directive applies to all models SD3-30 with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from SH3002 to SH3063. It is essential for operators to adhere to the instructions provided in Shorts SB No. SD3-32-92, revision 1.6 dated 82, to address the identified safety concerns. The primary requirement of this AD is the inspection and modification of flexible brake hoses to prevent wear caused by rubbing against the main landing gear beam. This directive is mandatory and must be completed unless it has already been accomplished within 300 hours of time in service following 30 June 1982. The directive underscores the importance of regular maintenance and the need for operators to ensure that these modifications are carried out as per the specified document. Compliance with this AD is critical for maintaining the structural integrity and operational safety of the affected aircraft. Operators of the SD3-30 models within the specified serial number range are obligated to conduct thorough inspections of the flexible brake hoses and main landing gear beams. This includes checking for any signs of wear or damage and making necessary modifications to prevent further wear. The AD mandates that this inspection and any required modifications be completed within the stipulated timeframe, which is 300 hours of service after 30 June 1982, unless already done. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential grounding and further regulatory action. Non-compliance with AD/SD3-30/11 can result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may impose penalties on operators who fail to adhere to the AD. The specific penalties and consequences are not detailed in the provided text, but generally, non-compliance with ADs can lead to enforcement actions, fines, and the potential grounding of the affected aircraft. Additionally, continued operation of an aircraft that does not comply with the AD could result in severe safety risks, which could lead to more severe penalties or even criminal charges in cases of gross negligence or willful disregard for safety regulations.