AD/SD3-60/14 - Tailplane Attachment Fitting Bushes

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, encompass the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically addressing the SD3-60 Series Aeroplanes. The legislation was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to ensure the safety of civil aviation operations, focusing on the maintenance and airworthiness of aircraft. This particular directive, AD/SD3-60/14, pertains to the replacement of tailplane attachment fitting bushes, a critical safety measure prompted by instances where these bushes were found to be loose. The directive mandates compliance with the action outlined in Shorts SB SD360-55-10, and it requires adherence prior to 31 March 1986, underscoring the urgency and importance of this safety measure. This directive is a regulatory tool to mitigate potential safety risks associated with the identified issue.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertain to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addressing the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. This regulation applies to all models of the Short SD3-60 Series Aeroplanes, mandating compliance with Shorts SB SD360-55-10 to address the issue of loose interference fit bushes in the tailplane attachment fittings. The directive requires corrective actions to be completed prior to 31 March 1986, ensuring that these aircraft maintain the necessary safety standards to prevent potential hazards during operation. The geographical and jurisdictional reach of these regulations is nationwide, enforcing compliance across all operators within the Commonwealth of Australia. There are no specific exclusions or exemptions outlined in this particular directive, and compliance is mandatory for all entities involved in the operation of these aircraft. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority may extend or restrict the application of these directives through subordinate instruments, ensuring continuous safety oversight and adherence to the stipulated requirements.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of AD/SD3-60/14, which falls under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), specifically within Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, concern the Short SD3-60 Series Aeroplanes. Section 1 of AD/SD3-60/14 applies to all models of Short SD3-60 Series Aeroplanes (Section 1). The requirement outlined in this directive mandates action in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin (SB) SD360-55-10 (Section 1). This directive stipulates that compliance must be achieved prior to 31 March 1986 (Section 1). The obligations imposed by this airworthiness directive on the parties governed by it include ensuring that the tailplane attachment fitting bushes on Short SD3-60 Series Aeroplanes are secured as per the specified service bulletin. Operators and maintenance providers must verify and, if necessary, replace or repair the bushes to ensure they maintain an interference fit, thereby preventing the bushes from becoming loose. The directive requires operators to conduct a thorough inspection of the tailplane attachment fitting bushes before the specified compliance date to ascertain their integrity and secure them appropriately. Breaching the requirements of AD/SD3-60/14 can lead to significant consequences. Civil penalties may apply for non-compliance, as stipulated by the CAR 1998. Specifically, under Section 32.011 of the CAR 1998, the maximum penalty for failing to comply with an airworthiness directive can amount to $50,000 for individuals and $250,000 for corporations. Furthermore, continued operation of an aircraft that does not comply with the directive could result in severe safety hazards, potentially leading to enforcement actions by CASA, including the grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved.