AD/SD3-60/2 - Main Undercarriage Pintle Pins - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation within the country. Within this extensive framework, Part 39, specifically the 105th Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses various safety mandates to ensure aircraft meet required standards. One such directive, AD/SD3-60/2, targets the modification of main undercarriage pintle pins in all model SD-360 aircraft with relevant main undercarriage units, as detailed in Dowty Service Bulletin No. 32-11SD. This directive was introduced to address the identified problem of pintle nut P/No. 200952602 falling below the specified heat treatment standard. The overarching policy objective is to enhance the safety and reliability of civil aviation through stringent adherence to airworthiness directives.

Scope and Application

The AD/SD3-60/2 under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to all model SD-360 aircraft with main undercarriage units as listed in Dowty Service Bulletin No. 32-11SD. This directive is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is a critical safety measure to address issues with the pintle pins of the main undercarriage, which have been identified as not meeting the specified heat treatment standards as outlined in Shorts Service Bulletin SD 360-32-10. This directive mandates compliance before 31 October 1983, ensuring that the identified safety concerns are addressed to maintain airworthiness standards. The scope of this regulation is narrowly focused on a specific aircraft model and its components, thereby limiting its application to relevant entities and industries within the aviation sector. Any non-compliance with this directive could result in significant safety risks, thus the regulation's enforcement is critical for the safety and operational integrity of the affected aircraft.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the modification of the main undercarriage pintle pins on Short SD-360 series aeroplanes, as outlined in AD/SD3-60/2. This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to all model SD-360 aircraft with main undercarriage units listed in Dowty Service Bulletin No. 32-11SD. The directive requires these aircraft to undergo a specific modification to the pintle pins before a specified date, which is 31 October 1983. The document referenced for compliance is Dowty Service Bulletin No. 32-11SD, and it is noted that Shorts Service Bulletin SD 360-32-10 is also relevant. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved. Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the modifications to the main undercarriage pintle pins are completed in accordance with the specifications provided in Dowty Service Bulletin No. 32-11SD. This includes verifying that the pintle nut P/No. 200952602 meets the specified heat treatment standards. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, and operators must document any modifications made, including the date and the details of the work performed. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in AD/SD3-60/2 may result in significant legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take action against non-compliant operators. The specific civil and criminal penalties for breach of these regulations are not detailed in the provided text, but they can include fines, enforcement notices, and in severe cases, the grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. It is important for operators to adhere to the deadlines and specifications to avoid any potential enforcement actions.