COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/SD3- 60/64 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Short SD3-60 Series Aeroplanes
AD/SD3-60/64
Amdt 2
Vertical Stabiliser Shear Attachment Fittings 5/2004
Applicability: All Model SD3-60 aircraft.
Requirement: Inspect in accordance with Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-53-45.
Where unacceptable corrosion damage is detected on any of the web fittings, each affected fitting must be replaced before further flight.
Note: UK CAA AD G-2004-0005 refers.
Compliance: Initial inspection at the next 4800 Flight Hour structural inspection after
30 May 2004, but no later than 30 June 2004. Inspect thereafter as specified in the Requirement document.
This Amendment becomes effective on 13 May 2004.
Background: Corrosion has been found in the area of the vertical stabiliser main spar web fittings.
The web fittings act as shear attachments for the vertical stabiliser. Amendment 1 clarified inspection and reporting requirements.
Amendment 2 is issued in response to a new UK CAA AD, which introduces a revised inspection / replacement programme as a consequence of the additional reported findings associated with the previous Requirement document.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 20 March 2003.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 2 April 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 21 April 2004.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998), enacted by the Australian Parliament, aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation and address any gaps in aircraft and aeronautical product safety. Specifically, the regulations include provisions for Airworthiness Directives (ADs), which are legally enforceable measures issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to correct unsafe conditions. AD/SD3-60/64 Amendment 2, issued on 2 April 2004 by a CASA delegate, addresses corrosion issues in the vertical stabiliser shear attachment fittings of all Model SD3-60 aircraft. This amendment follows the identification of unacceptable corrosion damage in the vertical stabiliser main spar web fittings, which are critical for the structural integrity of the aircraft. The policy objective of this AD is to mandate inspections and, if necessary, replacement of affected fittings to ensure continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft in question.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) apply to various persons and entities involved in the aviation industry, including aircraft manufacturers, operators, maintenance organisations, and individuals such as pilots and air traffic controllers. This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) specifically targets all Model SD3-60 aircraft, mandating that these aircraft must comply with the directive's requirements to ensure airworthiness and safety. The directive applies to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring a consistent standard across all jurisdictions. The AD is designed to address corrosion issues in the vertical stabiliser shear attachment fittings, with the aim of rectifying unsafe conditions. The directive does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, indicating that all applicable aircraft must adhere to the outlined requirements. Subordinate instruments may further extend or restrict the application of the AD as necessary to address emerging safety issues.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandate actions through Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safety of aircraft. Section 39.1(1) allows the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue ADs when an unsafe condition is identified. The AD in question, AD/SD3-60/64 Amdt 2, applies to all Model SD3-60 aircraft, addressing issues with vertical stabiliser shear attachment fittings (section 5/2004). The directive requires an inspection of these fittings in accordance with the instructions detailed in Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-53-45. If unacceptable corrosion is detected on any of the web fittings, they must be replaced before further flight (section Applicability and Requirement). This AD amends the initial directive issued on 20 March 2003 and became effective on 13 May 2004, following findings of corrosion in the vertical stabiliser main spar web fittings.
The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and specific. Aircraft owners and operators must ensure that the inspections are carried out by qualified personnel, adhering strictly to the guidelines in the Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-53-45. The initial inspection must occur within 4800 Flight Hours after 30 May 2004, but no later than 30 June 2004. Subsequent inspections are to be conducted as specified in the requirement document. Failure to comply with these inspection and replacement requirements can result in serious safety issues, potentially rendering the aircraft unairworthy. This places a significant responsibility on the operators to maintain the integrity of the vertical stabiliser fittings.
Non-compliance with the AD can lead to severe consequences. If an aircraft is found to be operating without the necessary inspections and repairs, it could be deemed unsafe for flight. This could result in grounding of the aircraft, legal action against the operator, and potential civil or criminal penalties. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the text, but generally, such violations can lead to substantial fines and legal repercussions under Australian aviation law. The seriousness of the AD and the potential risks associated with non-compliance underscore the importance of adhering to these regulatory requirements.