Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, introduces Airworthiness Directives to ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), as the regulatory body, issues these directives under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the CASR 1998 to address specific safety concerns. The purpose of this particular Airworthiness Directive, AD/SF340/94, is to mandate corrective actions for SAAB SF340 Series aeroplanes, specifically addressing issues with aileron and elevator trim tab fittings. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of unsafe conditions resulting from the incorrect installation of rivets that hold the retainers for the trim tab bearings, a problem that could lead to severe control issues. The directive applies to specific serial numbers of the SF340A and SF340B models and requires compliance within a specified timeframe to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, governs the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (AD) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products. This legislative instrument provides the framework for CASA to mandate specific actions to address identified safety concerns. The AD applies to the SAAB SF340 Series Aeroplanes, including Model SF340A aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 004 to 159 and Model 340B aircraft with serial numbers from 160 to 459. The directive mandates actions in accordance with SAAB Service Bulletin 340-51-025 to correct issues with the installation of rivets holding the retainers for the elevator trim tab bearings, which, if left unaddressed, could lead to severe oscillations affecting control. Compliance with the directive must be achieved within 800 flight hours or six months after 25 December 2003, whichever occurs first. This AD underscores the regulator's commitment to maintaining stringent safety standards and ensuring that specific aircraft models are maintained to prevent unsafe conditions.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR), under Part 39, Section 105, establish a framework for ensuring the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products. Specifically, Section 39.1 (1) allows the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address safety concerns. The AD in question, AD/SF340/94, pertains to SAAB SF340 Series Aeroplanes, specifically the SF340A aircraft with serial numbers 004 through 159 and the SF340B aircraft with serial numbers 160 through 459. The AD mandates corrective actions to address the issue of incorrectly installed rivets holding the retainers for the elevator trim tab bearings, which could lead to loose bearings and severe oscillations affecting control. This AD requires that the corrective action be taken in accordance with SAAB Service Bulletin 340-51-025. The directive specifies that the required action must be completed within 800 flight hours or six months from 25 December 2003, whichever comes first. This AD becomes effective from 25 December 2003. The mandate applies to the mentioned serial numbers of the SF340A and SF340B aircraft to mitigate the identified safety risks. Entities governed by this AD, including aircraft operators and maintenance providers, are obligated to adhere to the directive by ensuring that the specified corrective actions are completed within the stipulated timeframe. This involves following the instructions outlined in SAAB Service Bulletin 340-51-025 to rectify the issue of improperly installed rivets. Failure to comply with this AD may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding and other regulatory actions. Non-compliance with this Airworthiness Directive may lead to serious consequences. Civil Aviation Safety Regulations provide for both civil and criminal penalties for violations. Civil penalties can include fines, and in severe cases, criminal penalties may apply, including imprisonment. The exact penalties are determined by the courts and can vary based on the severity and frequency of the violations. It is imperative for all parties involved to ensure strict adherence to the AD to avoid these potential repercussions.