AD/SM-260/10 - Fuselage Lower Skin - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve as the primary legislation governing civil aviation in Australia. This extensive regulatory framework is designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel within Australian airspace. Among its various provisions, Part 39 specifically addresses Airworthiness Directives, which are legally enforceable safety measures issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). One such directive, AD/SM-260/10, pertains to the SIAI Marchetti 260 Series Aeroplanes and mandates a modification to the fuselage lower skin. This directive was introduced to address specific safety concerns identified with the aircraft model, ensuring that any issues are rectified to maintain the high safety standards expected in civil aviation. The overarching policy objective of these regulations is to protect the public by ensuring that aircraft meet stringent airworthiness standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the legislative instrument F2006B07069, govern the safety standards for civil aviation in Australia and have a wide-reaching impact on various aviation entities, including aircraft manufacturers, operators, and maintenance providers. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the regulations pertains to Airworthiness Directives, which are mandatory orders issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety issues with specific aircraft types. This particular regulation, AD/SM-260/10, focuses on the fuselage lower skin modification for all models of the SIAI Marchetti 260 Series Aeroplanes, necessitating compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 April 1978. The directive references documents such as RAI AD No. 78-22/F260-23 and SIAI Marchetti SB No. 260B28, which provide detailed instructions and specifications for the required modifications. The regulation applies nationally across Australia, ensuring that all entities involved in the operation or maintenance of these aircraft adhere to the safety standards set forth by CASA. There are no exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds specified in this particular directive, but the regulation may be extended or further detailed through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly under Part 39 - 105, establish crucial provisions for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft, specifically targeting the SIAI Marchetti 260 Series Aeroplanes. Section 39.105 (AD/SM-260/10) mandates a modification to the fuselage lower skin to ensure the continued safe operation of these aircraft. This directive applies universally to all models of the SIAI Marchetti 260 Series aeroplanes (Section 39.105 (2/78)). The compliance requirement stipulates that these modifications must be undertaken within 100 hours of time in service after 30 April 1978. The obligations under this legislation are clear and directive. Operators and owners of the SIAI Marchetti 260 Series aeroplanes must ensure that the specified modifications are completed by a certified technician or engineer within the stipulated timeframe. This involves adhering to the detailed guidelines outlined in either RAI AD No. 78-22/F260-23 or SIAI Marchetti SB No. 260B28 (Section 39.105). These documents provide the technical specifications and procedures necessary to perform the required fuselage lower skin modifications effectively. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives outlined in Section 39.105 can result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This can include fines, enforcement notices, and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are completed. The severity of the penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the specified directives to maintain the safety standards of civil aviation.