AD/SD3-60/51 - Elevator Control Torque Tube Bearing Housing

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which form part of Australia's broader legislative framework governing civil aviation safety, were enacted to provide a comprehensive set of rules and standards that ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel within the country. Among these regulations, Part 39 specifically addresses the maintenance and airworthiness of aircraft, ensuring that they meet the necessary safety standards. One particular legislative instrument under these regulations, F2006B06898, introduces Airworthiness Directive AD/SD3-60/51 concerning the elevator control torque tube bearing housing of SD3-60 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the problem of loose bolts in the elevator control torque tube bearing housing, which could compromise the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft. The policy objective is to mandate corrective actions in accordance with Shorts Mandatory Service Bulletin SD360-27-28 to ensure that these bolts are secured appropriately, thus maintaining the aircraft's airworthiness and safeguarding against potential hazards arising from structural failures. This directive became effective on 25 March 1999, with compliance required before 25 September 1999.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all SD3-60 series aeroplanes, mandating that they adhere to the Airworthiness Directives (AD) outlined within the regulations. These directives are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and are designed to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia's airspace. The directive AD/SD3-60/51 concerning the elevator control torque tube bearing housing, which became effective on 25 March 1999, requires compliance with Shorts Mandatory Service Bulletin SD360-27-28. This regulation applies to all SD3-60 aircraft, necessitating corrective action to address the issue of loose bolts in the elevator control torque tube bearing housing, a problem likely arising from the underestimation of the structure's significance during maintenance. Compliance with this directive must be achieved before 25 September 1999. While the directive itself does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, its implementation may be further detailed in subordinate instruments issued by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in Part 39, mandate specific actions to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft. One notable directive is AD/SD3-60/51, which concerns the elevator control torque tube bearing housing for all SD3-60 series aeroplanes. This directive became effective on 25 March 1999 and required compliance by 25 September 1999. The directive mandates action in accordance with the Shorts Mandatory Service Bulletin SD360-27-28, which addresses issues identified with the bolts securing the elevator control torque tube bearing housing retaining plate to the pilot’s seat pedestal. These bolts were found to be loose, likely due to the lack of recognition of the structural importance during maintenance. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. All SD3-60 series aeroplanes must adhere to the prescribed actions outlined in the Shorts Mandatory Service Bulletin SD360-27-28. This entails ensuring that the bolts securing the elevator control torque tube bearing housing retaining plate are tightened and maintained according to the specified procedures. This requirement is crucial to prevent the potential for structural failure during flight, which could compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive AD/SD3-60/51 can lead to severe consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in significant penalties. The specific penalties for breaching this directive are not detailed in the provided text, but generally, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to civil penalties, including fines, and may also result in criminal charges. In severe cases, the non-compliance could lead to the grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are taken, which could have significant operational and financial repercussions for the aircraft owner or operator.