AD/SD3-30/12 Amdt 1 - Rib/Skin Attachment Cleats at Left Wing Station 160

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B06813, address the critical issue of maintaining the structural integrity of aircraft, particularly focusing on the Shorts SD3-30 series aeroplanes. The specific amendment, SD3-30/12 Amendment 1, targets the rib/skin attachment cleats at the left wing Station 160. This directive was enacted to rectify and prevent potential structural failures identified in the specified model range, SH3002 through SH3090. The objective of this legislation is to ensure that the maintenance and operational safety of these aircraft remain compliant with stringent safety standards, thereby protecting the safety of passengers and crew. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, acting under the authority of the Commonwealth Parliament, issued this amendment in response to reports of cracks in the specified area of the aircraft, ensuring that maintenance actions are undertaken as per the manufacturer's Service Bulletin SD3-57-10 Revision 2.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the airworthiness directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This legislative instrument mandates compliance for certain types of aircraft and ensures safety and operational standards are maintained within the Australian aviation industry. AD/SD3-30/12 Amendment 1 applies to the Model SD3-30 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from SH3002 through SH3090. The directive requires these aircraft to adhere to the actions specified in the Shorts Mandatory Service Bulletin SD3-57-10 Revision 2, which addresses the issue of cracks detected in the rib/skin attachment cleats at the left wing Station 160. Compliance with this directive is measured by the flight hours since the last certified compliance, ensuring the safety measures are consistently applied. The amendment became effective from 9 December 1993, following reports of structural integrity issues and aiming to mitigate any potential risks associated with the identified faults.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, includes a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. Specifically, AD/SD3-30/12 Amendment 1 pertains to rib/skin attachment cleats at Left Wing Station 16013/93 for the SD3-30 series aeroplanes with serial numbers SH3002 through SH3090. According to Section 1 of this directive, the requirement is for action in accordance with the Shorts Mandatory Service Bulletin SD3-57-10 Revision 2. Compliance is to be maintained as specified in the Requirement Document, with flight hours counted from previous certified compliance. This Amendment has been effective since 9 December 1993. This legislation imposes certain obligations on the parties governed by it. Primarily, it mandates that all SD3-30 series aeroplanes within the specified serial number range must adhere to the requirements set out in the Shorts Mandatory Service Bulletin SD3-57-10 Revision 2. This includes ensuring that any rib/skin attachment cleats at Left Wing Station 16013/93 are inspected and maintained in accordance with the bulletin's directives. Additionally, it requires that flight hours be accurately recorded and accounted for, ensuring that the aircraft remain within the specified maintenance programme guidelines. In terms of compliance, failure to adhere to the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. Section 2 of the regulations outlines the potential penalties and consequences for non-compliance. If an operator fails to comply with the directive, they may face civil penalties, including fines up to the maximum prescribed by the Civil Aviation Regulations. Moreover, continued operation of a non-compliant aircraft can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which may include grounding the aircraft until compliance is achieved. Additionally, if the non-compliance leads to an aviation incident or accident, the operator may face more severe criminal charges and penalties. The directive also specifies that the applicability of the AD/SD3-30/12 Amendment 1 is limited to the SD3-30 series aeroplanes with serial numbers SH3002 through SH3090. The requirement to comply with the Shorts Mandatory Service Bulletin SD3-57-10 Revision 2 is explicitly stated, with a clear emphasis on the maintenance of rib/skin attachment cleats at Left Wing Station 16013/93. The compliance must be consistent with the Requirement Document, and flight hours need to be tracked from the previously certified compliance. This ensures that the maintenance and inspection protocols are consistently applied across the affected aircraft fleet. The legislative instrument also provides a background for the issuance of this amendment. Section 3 explains that the manufacturer received reports of cases where cracks have been detected in the rib/skin attachment cleats at the wing upper surface, specifically at Station 160. This led to the issuance of Amendment 1, which aligns with the latest issue of the Requirement Document, particularly aligning SB Paragraph 1.E, Part A, 4 with the "Not Exceed Time" specified in the Maintenance Programme. This background information helps in understanding the rationale behind the directive and the importance of adhering to the specified maintenance protocols to ensure airworthiness.