AD/SD3-60/8 Amdt 2 - Elevator Torque Shaft Assembly

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, established by the Australian Parliament, serve as the primary regulatory framework for civil aviation within the country. Among these regulations is Part 39, which pertains to airworthiness directives. The purpose of this legislation is to ensure the safety of civil aviation by establishing and enforcing standards for aircraft airworthiness. The 1998 Regulations were enacted to address the need for a comprehensive and up-to-date regulatory environment in response to the evolving nature of civil aviation and technological advancements. Specifically, Airworthiness Directive AD/SD3-60/8 Amendment 2, which pertains to the elevator torque shaft assembly in Short Series aeroplanes, was introduced following an incident of lost elevator control on an SD3-30 aircraft. This directive aims to mandate modifications and inspections to reinforce the attachment of the elevator torque shaft housings, ensuring that all SD-360 aircraft maintain stringent safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, govern the application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) within the Commonwealth of Australia, encompassing all entities and persons involved in the operation and maintenance of civil aircraft. This legislative instrument applies to all models of SD-360 aircraft, mandating compliance with certain inspection and modification requirements to ensure airworthiness. The directive applies nationally across Australia, impacting the aviation industry by setting forth specific maintenance actions to be undertaken on the elevator torque shaft assembly of the affected aircraft models. Compliance must be achieved by conducting inspections and, where necessary, modifications prior to specific dates and at regular intervals, as outlined in the directive. There are no exclusions or exemptions specified within the text of the directive itself, although broader exceptions might be found within the overarching Civil Aviation Regulations. The application of this directive can be further refined through subordinate instruments or additional guidance provided by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, mandates the maintenance and safety standards for aircraft within Australia. Within this regulation, Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD/SD3-60/8) governs the maintenance requirements for the Short SD3-60 series aeroplanes. This directive, which applies to all models of SD-360 aircraft, addresses specific maintenance actions related to the elevator torque shaft assembly (Section 6/85 DM). The directive was issued following incidents where elevator control was lost, leading to the necessity for regular inspections and modifications to prevent future occurrences. The main requirements outlined in the directive are that the Short SB SD360-27-A06 Rev 1 and Short SB SD360-27-06 must be followed. The directive stipulates that inspections must be conducted prior to 14 March 1985 and subsequently, at intervals not exceeding 60 hours of time in service or before the first flight following any period when the aircraft has been parked in severe wind gust conditions. Additionally, a specific inspection is required prior to 15 August 1985. These inspections and maintenance actions are critical to ensuring the integrity of the elevator torque shaft assembly and, by extension, the safety of the aircraft. The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties governed by it include ensuring that the specified inspections and maintenance actions are carried out as mandated. Aircraft operators and maintenance personnel must adhere to the detailed procedures outlined in the referenced service bulletins. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to significant safety risks, including potential loss of control of the aircraft. The directive also necessitates that all records of inspections and any modifications made to the elevator torque shaft assembly be meticulously maintained and made available for review by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Non-compliance with the requirements set forth in this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. The regulations impose both civil and criminal penalties for breaches, with the latter potentially leading to fines and imprisonment. The specific penalties can vary depending on the severity of the breach and the circumstances surrounding it. For example, under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, a person who fails to comply with an Airworthiness Directive can be subject to fines of up to $21,000 for individuals and $105,000 for corporations, along with possible imprisonment for up to five years. These stringent measures underscore the importance of adhering to the maintenance and inspection requirements outlined in the directive.