AD/SM-205/35 - Landing Gear Actuator Damper

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au F2006B07057 In force Legislative Instrument

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COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

 


SIAI Marchetti S205 and S208 Series Aeroplanes

 

AD/SM-205/35 Landing Gear Actuator Damper 12/93

Applicability: Model S.205-18R, -20R, -22R; S.208 and S.208A.

 

Requirement: Action in accordance with SIAI Marchetti Service Bulletin 205B49 Revision B.

 

Note: RAI AD 93-221 refers.

 

Compliance: For aircraft that have accumulated less than 500 hours time in service: At the 500 hour inspection.

For aircraft that have accumulated more than 500 hours time in service:

 

Within 100 hours time in service after 11 November 1993, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service.

 

Background: The RAI has received reports of damage to the landing gear actuator rubber damper. Deformation of the rubber damper, in conjunction with a small mis-adjustment of the landing gear system, could result in an unsafe down-lock condition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, include a specific part that addresses the safety directives necessary for various types of aircraft, including the SIAI Marchetti S205 and S208 series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Australian Government, this legislation is designed to ensure the safety and reliability of civil aviation within Australia. The policy objective behind these regulations is to prevent unsafe conditions that could compromise the operation of aircraft, thereby safeguarding passengers, crew, and the general public. This particular regulation, AD/SM-205/35, was introduced to address the issue of potential damage to the landing gear actuator rubber damper in the specified aircraft models, which could result in an unsafe down-lock condition if not properly managed. The regulation requires specific action in accordance with SIAI Marchetti Service Bulletin 205B49 Revision B for the applicable aircraft models. For aircraft with less than 500 hours of accumulated time in service, the compliance action must be undertaken at the 500-hour inspection. For those with more than 500 hours of accumulated time in service, the action must be taken within 100 hours after 11 November 1993, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. This ensures that any issues with the landing gear actuator rubber damper are identified and rectified promptly, maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and enhancing overall flight safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, apply to the maintenance and operation of certain aircraft within Australia, including SIAI Marchetti S205 and S208 series aeroplanes, such as models S.205-18R, -20R, -22R; S.208 and S208A. The Act requires compliance with Service Bulletin 205B49 Revision B, referencing RAI AD 93-221, to address potential safety issues with the landing gear actuator damper. The geographic reach of this regulation is nationwide, applying to all aircraft within Australia's jurisdiction. The regulation specifies different compliance timelines based on the accumulated time in service of the aircraft, with immediate action required for those with over 500 hours, and periodic checks for those with less than 500 hours. This regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions, but its application is inherently limited to the specified aircraft models and their maintenance schedules.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandate the actions necessary for maintaining the airworthiness of SIAI Marchetti S205 and S208 series aeroplanes. According to AD/SM-205/35, which pertains to the landing gear actuator damper, aircraft models S.205-18R, -20R, -22R; S.208 and S.208A are required to comply with SIAI Marchetti Service Bulletin 205B49 Revision B (section 12/93). It is also noted that this directive is referenced in RAI AD 93-221. The directive outlines specific compliance requirements based on the time in service of the aircraft. For aircraft that have accumulated less than 500 hours of time in service, compliance must be achieved at the 500-hour inspection. For those aircraft with more than 500 hours of time in service, compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 11 November 1993, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours of time in service. The obligations imposed by this directive require aircraft operators to ensure that the landing gear actuator damper is inspected and, if necessary, repaired or replaced in accordance with the specified service bulletin and revision. This involves adhering to the detailed instructions and procedures provided by SIAI Marchetti. Operators must also maintain detailed records of all actions taken to comply with the directive, including inspections, repairs, and any adjustments made to the landing gear system. These records must be readily available for inspection by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) upon request. Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive can result in significant legal consequences. Civil penalties can be imposed for non-compliance, which may include fines up to the maximum specified by the regulations. Additionally, the continued operation of a non-compliant aircraft may be considered an offence, potentially leading to prosecution. Criminal penalties may apply in cases where non-compliance is found to have contributed to an aviation accident or incident, with potential imprisonment for the responsible individuals or entities. The specific penalties are detailed within the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, but they underscore the importance of strict adherence to airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of all aviation operations.

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Aviation Law
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Regulation
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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.