AD/SWSA226/14 - Aileron Control System - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompass a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives designed to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. This legislative instrument was enacted to address specific safety concerns associated with certain aircraft models, ensuring that they meet the required safety standards. In this instance, the Airworthiness Directive AD/SWSA226/14 pertains to the aileron control system modification for Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes. The directive applies to specific serial numbers of the SA226TC, SA226T, and SA226AT models and requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1973. The policy objective behind these regulations is to maintain the highest standards of airworthiness and safety for all aircraft operating in Australia, thereby protecting the lives of passengers and crew, and ensuring the integrity of the civil aviation system. The enacting body responsible for these regulations is the Commonwealth of Australia, which established the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to administer and enforce these standards. CASA is mandated to ensure that all aircraft, operators, and personnel meet stringent safety requirements. This specific directive is a part of CASA's broader efforts to mitigate risks associated with known safety issues in certain aircraft models, thereby contributing to the overarching goal of enhancing the safety and reliability of Australia's civil aviation sector.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertain to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, with this particular regulation focusing on Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes. The scope of this directive includes all model SA226TC with serial numbers TC-205 to TC-207, all model SA226T with serial numbers T-228 to T-238, and all model SA226AT with serial numbers AT-009 to AT-012. This legislation applies to the modification of the aileron control system as outlined in the Swearingen SB 27-10-3044 document and requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1973. The application of this regulation is limited to the specific models and serial numbers mentioned, and it does not extend beyond these parameters unless specified in subordinate instruments or further amendments to the regulations.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, mandates that certain Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes, namely those with specific serial numbers, must comply with Airworthiness Directives (AD) concerning the aileron control system. This requirement is outlined in AD/SWSA226/14, which pertains to the modification of the aileron control system. The directive applies to all model SA226TC aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from TC-205 to TC-207, all model SA226T aeroplanes with serial numbers from T-228 to T-238, and all model SA226AT aeroplanes with serial numbers from AT-009 to AT-012. Compliance with these directives must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1973, as referenced in document Swearingen SB 27-10-3044. The obligations under these regulations are clear and specific. Aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance providers must ensure that the aileron control system modifications are completed as per the directives. This involves detailed technical work to address potential safety issues identified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The modifications are intended to enhance the safety and reliability of the aileron control systems, which are critical for the aircraft's flight control and stability. Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directives can lead to serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives is an offence. The penalties for such breaches can include fines and imprisonment. Specifically, individuals found guilty of violating these regulations may face fines up to $275,000 and imprisonment for up to five years. For corporations, the fines can be significantly higher, up to $1.375 million. These stringent penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft in question.