Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted in 1998 by the Parliament of Australia, establish the regulatory framework for civil aviation safety in Australia. This legislation, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), aims to ensure that aircraft and aeronautical products meet stringent safety standards. One particular aspect of this comprehensive regulation is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address identified safety issues. AD/SD3-60/58, issued in June 2001, is an example of such an AD, specifically targeting the Shorts SD3-60 Series Aeroplanes to address reported instances of fouling and chafing of the heated windshield wiring. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by mandating inspections and necessary repairs to prevent potential electrical hazards.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/SD3-60/58 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to all SD3-60 series aeroplanes. The directive mandates inspections and necessary repairs to the heated windshield wiring to prevent fouling and chafing, which could lead to unsafe conditions. The inspection must be carried out in accordance with Short Brothers PLC Service Bulletin (SB) SD360-30-26 dated 2 April 2001, and any detected issues such as chafing or inadequate clearance between the cable and flight instruments must be addressed by repairing, replacing, or repositioning the cable as specified in the relevant parts of the bulletin. Compliance with Requirement 1 must occur at the next scheduled B check but no later than 90 days from the effective date of the directive, while Requirement 2 must be completed before further flight after the initial inspection. This AD applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia and is effective from 14 June 2001, with notification published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 16 May 2001.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) SD3-60/58 issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) requires specific actions to be taken for all SD3-60 series aeroplanes to ensure the safety of the aircraft. Firstly, operators must inspect the heated windshield wiring for any signs of fouling and chafing, following the instructions detailed in Part A of Short Brothers PLC Service Bulletin (SB) SD360-30-26 dated 2 April 2001. This inspection must be carried out at the next scheduled B check, but in any case, no later than 90 days after the effective date of this directive, which is 14 June 2001. Secondly, if during this inspection, chafing of the windshield heating cable is detected or inadequate clearance is found between the cable and flight instruments, the cable must either be repaired or replaced in accordance with the relevant parts of SB SD360-30-26, or repositioned following the instructions in Part A of the same service bulletin. This corrective action must be completed before further flight after the initial inspection is completed. The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators of SD3-60 series aeroplanes, including conducting a thorough inspection of the windshield wiring as per the detailed guidelines in SB SD360-30-26. If any issues are identified during this inspection, such as chafing or inadequate clearance, the operators must take immediate action to either repair, replace, or reposition the cable to ensure compliance with safety standards. Failure to adhere to these requirements may compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants, highlighting the critical importance of strict compliance with the directive. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive may result in serious safety hazards. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the AD itself, non-compliance with such directives typically results in serious consequences under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. Potential outcomes may include enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which can range from fines to suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness. Such actions are intended to ensure that all aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to protect passengers, crew, and the general public.