AD/SD3-60/12 Amdt 1 - Horizontal Stabilizer Rear Spar

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, incorporate Airworthiness Directives (AD) that are essential for maintaining the safety standards of aircraft operating in Australia. Enacted by the Australian Government, these regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), and their primary policy objective is to ensure the highest level of safety in civil aviation. One such directive is AD/SD3-60/12, which pertains to the horizontal stabilizer rear spar of all model SD3-60 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from SH3601 to SH3678. This directive addresses a reported issue with the standard blind rivets in the horizontal stabilizer becoming loose, which could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft. The directive mandates corrective actions in line with the manufacturer's Service Bulletin SB SD360-55-06 Revision 1, requiring compliance before the aircraft accumulates 4800 hours of total service time.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically within the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, outlines the regulatory framework for ensuring the safety of aircraft within Australian airspace. This legislation applies to all model SD3-60 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from SH3601 to SH3678. The directive mandates compliance with Action in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-55-06 Revision 1, addressing the issue of loose rivets in the horizontal stabilizer. The requirement necessitates adherence to the specified action prior to the aeroplane reaching 4800 hours of total time in service. This regulation is pivotal for maintaining the airworthiness of the affected aircraft, ensuring they meet the necessary safety standards mandated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Geographically, this regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, applying to all aircraft within its jurisdiction that meet the specified serial numbers. There are no exclusions or exemptions noted within the directive, and the scope is strictly limited to the identified series of SD3-60 aeroplanes. The application of this directive is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which has the authority to enforce compliance through subordinate instruments as necessary. The directive is designed to address a specific safety concern and ensures that all affected aircraft are maintained in a safe operational condition.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) are the applicability and requirement clauses. The applicability clause (AD/SD3-60/12) specifies that the directive applies to all model SD3-60 aeroplanes with serial numbers (S/Nos) ranging from SH3601 to SH3678. The requirement clause mandates that the action must be taken in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-55-06 Revision 1 (R1). This means that all affected aircraft must follow the specific instructions and procedures outlined in this revised service bulletin to address the identified issue. The obligations imposed by this AD on the parties and entities it governs are primarily centered on compliance with the specified service bulletin. Operators and owners of the affected aircraft must ensure that the required actions are carried out by certified personnel within the specified timeframe. Specifically, the compliance requirement must be met prior to the aircraft reaching 4800 hours of total time in service. This means that the identified maintenance action must be completed before the aircraft accumulates 4800 flight hours to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft. In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the AD does not explicitly state penalties or specific legal consequences for failing to adhere to the directive. However, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can have serious repercussions. In general, failure to comply with an AD can result in the aircraft being grounded or denied permission to fly until the required maintenance is completed. Furthermore, such non-compliance could be considered an offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, potentially leading to fines, penalties, or even criminal charges. The specific penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the non-compliance, as well as any resulting safety issues.