COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 Series Aeroplanes
AD/SWSA226/13 Aileron Tab - Inspection and Modification 12/73
Applicability: All model SA226TC with S/Nos. TC-201 to TC-207. All model SA226T with S/Nos.
T-201 to T-238 and All Model SA226AT with S/Nos. AT-001 to AT-009.
Document: Swearingen SB 27-10-3046.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 December 1973.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serve to regulate the aviation industry within the country, ensuring safety and compliance across all aspects of civil aviation. Part 39, specifically addressing airworthiness directives, provides detailed requirements for maintaining the safety standards of various aircraft. Among these directives, the F2006B07160 Legislative instrument for Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes aims to address potential safety issues related to aileron tabs, which are critical components for the control of the aircraft's wings. The directive was introduced to ensure that specific models of these aeroplanes undergo necessary inspections and modifications to mitigate risks, thereby maintaining the overall airworthiness of the aircraft as mandated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
The policy objective of this directive is to enhance the safety of flights by mandating regular inspections and modifications of the aileron tabs in certain Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes. By specifying the applicable aircraft models and serial numbers, the directive ensures that these critical components are rigorously maintained within a defined timeframe, thus preventing potential in-flight failures and ensuring the continued safety of passengers and crew. This legislative measure underscores the commitment of the Australian government to stringent aviation safety standards, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the application of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes, as detailed in AD/SWSA226/13 concerning aileron tab inspection and modification. This directive applies to all model SA226TC aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from TC-201 to TC-207, all model SA226T aeroplanes with serial numbers from T-201 to T-238, and all model SA226AT aeroplanes with serial numbers from AT-001 to AT-009. Compliance with the directive is mandatory, requiring the specified inspection and modification to be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1973, as documented in Swearingen SB 27-10-3046. The regulations are enforced under the Commonwealth of Australia and thus apply nationally, encompassing all relevant entities and individuals within the specified serial numbers. There are no exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds explicitly stated in the directive itself, although the application may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, establishes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for specific aircraft models. Section 12/73 of this schedule specifically targets the Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes, issuing an AD for aileron tab inspection and modification. This directive applies to all model SA226TC with serial numbers TC-201 to TC-207, all model SA226T with serial numbers T-201 to T-238, and all model SA226AT with serial numbers AT-001 to AT-009. Compliance with this directive is mandated within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1973, as detailed in the Swearingen SB 27-10-3046 document.
Under this AD, aircraft operators and maintenance personnel have specific obligations to ensure compliance. Firstly, they must inspect the aileron tabs of the specified aircraft models to identify any issues or wear that may compromise safety. Secondly, if any deficiencies are found during the inspection, the aileron tabs must be modified or repaired according to the instructions outlined in the Swearingen SB 27-10-3046 document. The aim is to prevent potential flight safety risks related to the aileron tab mechanism. Operators and maintenance personnel must also maintain detailed records of the inspections and any modifications performed to ensure traceability and accountability.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this airworthiness directive can result in serious legal and safety consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions by CASA. Civil penalties can include fines up to the maximum prescribed by law, and in severe cases, CASA may impose criminal penalties, including imprisonment for directors or senior officers of the airline or maintenance organisation. Additionally, non-compliance can lead to the grounding of affected aircraft until the required modifications are completed, potentially disrupting flight schedules and incurring significant costs for the operators.