AD/SD3-60/43 - Flap Hydraulic Unit Brackets

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, contain a series of safety directives aimed at ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia. One such directive, AD/SD3-60/43, pertains to the flap hydraulic unit brackets of Short SD3-60 Series aeroplanes. This directive was enacted to address the issue of exfoliation corrosion on the flap hydraulic support brackets, as reported by the manufacturer. The directive requires all affected aircraft to take action in accordance with the specified service bulletin to ensure compliance with airworthiness standards. This regulation was introduced to safeguard the structural integrity of the aircraft and prevent any potential safety hazards arising from the identified corrosion issue. Enacted by the Australian Government through the Civil Aviation Authority, the policy objective of AD/SD3-60/43 is to mandate specific maintenance actions to rectify the identified corrosion problem on flap hydraulic support brackets in Short SD3-60 Series aeroplanes. By ensuring that all applicable aircraft comply with the outlined requirements, the regulation aims to maintain the highest safety standards in Australia's civil aviation sector. The directive references UK Civil Aviation Authority AD 007-09-95, indicating a collaborative approach to aircraft safety across jurisdictions.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, establishes detailed airworthiness directives aimed at ensuring the safety of civil aviation in Australia. The scope of this particular regulation, AD/SD3-60/43, pertains to all SD3-60 series aeroplanes and mandates action concerning the flap hydraulic unit brackets, aligning with the requirements outlined in Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-27-24. This directive is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of the aircraft and preventing potential failures due to reported exfoliation corrosion on the flap hydraulic support brackets. The regulation applies to all entities operating SD3-60 aircraft within Australia, necessitating compliance with the specified action by the revised effective date of 28 March 1996. This directive is integral to the overarching framework of aviation safety managed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and ensures that all relevant aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to operate safely within Australian airspace.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish a detailed schedule of airworthiness directives aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft in Australian airspace. One such directive is AD/SD3-60/43, which pertains to flap hydraulic unit brackets on Short SD3-60 Series aeroplanes. This directive was issued following reports of exfoliation corrosion on the flap hydraulic support brackets, a critical component that could compromise the aircraft's structural integrity and flight safety. The directive requires all SD3-60 aircraft to comply with the action specified in Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-27-24, with a revised effective date of 28 March 1996, as referenced by the UK Civil Aviation Authority's AD 007-09-95. Operators and owners of SD3-60 aircraft are obligated to ensure that the necessary actions are taken in accordance with the Requirement Document, which outlines the specific corrective measures and procedures to address the identified corrosion issues. This involves a thorough inspection and, if necessary, repair or replacement of the affected flap hydraulic support brackets to prevent any potential safety risks. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, and failure to adhere to the specified requirements may lead to significant safety hazards. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/SD3-60/43 can result in serious consequences, both civil and criminal. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Civil penalties may include fines and other financial penalties as prescribed by the legislation. In severe cases where non-compliance results in a safety incident, criminal charges may be pursued against the responsible parties, with potential imprisonment and higher fines. The specific penalties depend on the severity of the breach and the resulting impact on aviation safety. In summary, AD/SD3-60/43 mandates that all Short SD3-60 aircraft operators must follow the detailed corrective actions outlined in the relevant service bulletin to address exfoliation corrosion on flap hydraulic support brackets. Non-compliance with this directive can lead to significant civil and criminal penalties, reinforcing the importance of adhering to airworthiness standards to maintain the highest levels of aviation safety in Australian airspace.