AD/SD3-30/37 - Elevator Control Torque Tube Bearing Housing

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, govern various aspects of civil aviation safety, including the issuance of airworthiness directives. Part 39 of these regulations specifically addresses the safety requirements for aircraft. One such directive, AD/SD3-30/37, was introduced to address a recognised issue with the elevator control torque tube bearing housing in SD3-30 series aeroplanes. The directive mandates actions in accordance with Shorts Mandatory Service Bulletin SD330-27-37 to rectify the problem of loose bolts that had been identified, likely due to the significance of the structure not being properly acknowledged during maintenance. This requirement became effective on 25 March 1999, with compliance necessary before 25 September 1999, aiming to ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Airworthiness Directive AD/SD3-30/37 pertains to all SD3-30 series aeroplanes and is designed to address a specific safety issue with the elevator control torque tube bearing housing. This regulation applies to any aircraft within the specified series, requiring compliance with the requirements outlined in Shorts Mandatory Service Bulletin SD330-27-37. It mandates that the specified action must be completed before 25 September 1999, with the directive becoming effective from 25 March 1999. The directive aims to rectify an issue where the bolts securing the elevator control torque tube bearing housing retaining plate to the pilot’s seat pedestal have been found loose, likely due to the structural significance not being properly recognised during maintenance. The regulation’s scope is limited to the specified aircraft series and the outlined safety directive, with no explicit exclusions or exemptions mentioned within the text.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 (Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives), establish crucial safety standards for aviation operations in Australia. Under this part, the regulation AD/SD3-30/37 focuses on the elevator control torque tube bearing housing for Short SD3-30 series aeroplanes (Section 1). This Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandates compliance with Shorts Mandatory Service Bulletin SD330-27-37, which addresses the issue of bolts securing the elevator control torque tube bearing housing retaining plate to the pilot’s seat pedestal being found loose (Section 2). The directive applies to all SD3-30 aircraft and requires corrective action to be taken (Section 3). The directive became effective on 25 March 1999, and compliance was necessary before 25 September 1999 (Section 4). Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, the Short SD3-30 series aeroplanes must adhere to the specified requirements set out in the Airworthiness Directive AD/SD3-30/37. The primary obligation for the operators and maintainers of these aircraft is to ensure that the elevator control torque tube bearing housing is secured correctly, following the instructions outlined in Shorts Mandatory Service Bulletin SD330-27-37 (Section 5). This includes inspecting and tightening the bolts that secure the elevator control torque tube bearing housing retaining plate to the pilot’s seat pedestal to prevent them from becoming loose (Section 6). Any necessary repairs or replacements must be performed in accordance with the guidelines provided to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft (Section 7). The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline specific consequences for non-compliance with the Airworthiness Directive AD/SD3-30/37. Operators and maintainers who fail to adhere to the requirements of this directive may face civil or criminal penalties (Section 8). Under Australian law, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in fines and potential prosecution, reflecting the serious nature of ensuring aviation safety (Section 9). The exact penalties can vary depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance, but they can include substantial fines and imprisonment for more serious breaches (Section 10). It is crucial for all parties involved to ensure full compliance to avoid these legal repercussions and to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety.