COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
SAAB SF340 Series Aeroplanes
AD/SF340/25
Amdt 1
Vertical Stabilizer Top Closure Rib 12/91
Applicability: All model SF340 with Serial Nos SF340A-031 through 159 and Serial Nos SF340B- 160 through 194.
Requirement: Inspect and modify the vertical stabilizer top closure rib in accordance with the Technical Requirements of SAAB Scania AB Service Bulletins, SAAB 340-55-022 Revision 1 dated 27 February 1990, and SAAB 340-55-023 dated 1 October 1990.
Note: Swedish Airworthiness Directive No 1-036, Revision A. refers.
Compliance: Inspect upon achieving 500 hours in service after 16 May 1991, as required by the previous issue of this Directive; and then at intervals not exceeding those in SAAB Service Bulletins 340-55-022 Revision 1.
Modify in accordance with SAAB Service Bulletin 340-55-023 before 1 August 1992.
Background: Fatigue cracks in the vertical stabilizer top closure rib could lead to friction and ultimate jamming between the fin and rudder. This amendment calls up Revision A of the Requirement Document, which makes terminating action mandatory.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, serve to regulate civil aviation and ensure safety standards are met across the industry. One specific piece of legislation under this regulation is the Airworthiness Directive AD/SF340/25 Amendment 1, which was introduced in 1991 to address the issue of fatigue cracks in the vertical stabilizer top closure rib of Saab SF340 series aeroplanes. This problem, if left unaddressed, could lead to serious safety hazards such as jamming between the fin and rudder. The objective of this directive is to mandate inspections and modifications as outlined in the SAAB Scania AB Service Bulletins, ensuring that all affected aircraft are maintained to a high standard of airworthiness.
The directive applies to all Saab SF340 aircraft with specific serial numbers and requires inspections and modifications to be carried out at prescribed intervals. The compliance date for inspections was set to occur after the aircraft had accumulated 500 hours in service following 16 May 1991, with subsequent inspections not exceeding the intervals specified in the SAAB Service Bulletins. Modifications must be completed by 1 August 1992, ensuring that all aircraft meet the necessary safety standards and mitigate the risk of potential mechanical failures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Saab SF340 series aeroplanes with certain serial numbers, namely SF340A-031 through 159 and SF340B-160 through 194. This legislation is a part of the broader framework established by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and aims to ensure the airworthiness of these particular aircraft models. The directive mandates inspections and modifications to the vertical stabilizer top closure rib as outlined in specific SAAB Scania AB Service Bulletins, thereby addressing potential fatigue cracks that could lead to critical safety issues. Compliance with this legislation is overseen by CASA, and the requirement is that inspections must be conducted upon achieving 500 hours in service after 16 May 1991, with subsequent inspections at intervals not exceeding those specified in SAAB Service Bulletin 340-55-022 Revision 1. Modifications must be completed in accordance with SAAB Service Bulletin 340-55-023 before 1 August 1992. This directive is crucial for maintaining the safety standards of the specified aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, and failure to comply can result in significant safety risks.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 (paragraphs 39.105(1) and 39.105(2)), mandates that all operators of Saab SF340 series aeroplanes with serial numbers within the specified range must adhere to the requirements set forth in the Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the vertical stabilizer top closure rib. This directive requires operators to inspect and modify the vertical stabilizer top closure rib in accordance with the technical requirements detailed in SAAB Scania AB Service Bulletins, specifically SAAB 340-55-022 Revision 1 dated 27 February 1990 and SAAB 340-55-023 dated 1 October 1990. Compliance with these technical requirements is essential to ensure the airworthiness of the aircraft.
Operators of affected Saab SF340 aeroplanes are obligated to conduct inspections and modifications as stipulated in the AD. According to the directive, inspections must commence upon the aircraft reaching 500 hours in service after 16 May 1991, and these inspections must continue at intervals not exceeding those specified in SAAB Service Bulletin 340-55-022 Revision 1. Furthermore, operators must modify the vertical stabilizer top closure rib in accordance with SAAB Service Bulletin 340-55-023 before 1 August 1992. These obligations are critical to preventing potential structural failures due to fatigue cracks, which could lead to severe operational issues such as jamming between the fin and rudder.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD may result in serious consequences. Non-compliance could render the aircraft unairworthy, potentially leading to safety hazards during flight. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, violations of airworthiness directives can result in substantial penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Specifically, section 97 of the Act stipulates that a person who contravenes a regulation may be fined up to $275,000 for an individual offence and up to $1.375 million for a corporate offence. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the AD to maintain the safety and compliance of the aircraft within the Australian aviation regulatory framework.