AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/SWSA226/43 Amdt 5 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 Series Aeroplanes
AD/SWSA226/43
Amdt 6
Supplemental Inspection Program and Life Limited Items
3/2004
Applicability: All model SA 226 and SA 227 aircraft.
Requirement: The approved system of maintenance of all SA 226 and SA 227 series aeroplanes shall include all relevant inspections and life limitations specified in the applicable issue of Fairchild Swearingen Corporation Manuals “Inspection Schedule and Retirement Lives for Life Limited Components”, as follows:-
For SA 227 Series: Airworthiness Limitations Manual ST-UN-M001 Rev C-6 dated 7 April 1998, or ST-UN-M003.
For SA 226 Series: Inspection Manual ST-UN-M002, Revision A-5.
Note 1: Retirement of cargo and crew door lower latch assemblies P/N 27-24135 and 27-24151 shall be in accordance with the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the maintenance manual for the particular aircraft type and model.
Compliance: Forthwith.
This Amendment becomes effective on 18 March 2004.
Background: This amendment updates the revision status of the referenced requirement document and also alters the note to remove reference to a cancelled AD. There is no change to the compliance time.
Amendment 5, effective 26 February 1998, deleted the note regarding the retirement life of 35000 hours for the complete aircraft structure and the referenced Inspection and Limitations Manuals were updated to the latest revisions. The Manual ST-UN- M003 was also added for SA227-CC and DC aircraft.
Amendment 4, effective 29 December 1988, reflected the latest revision of both the referenced manuals.
Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 Series Aeroplanes
AD/SWSA226/43 Amdt 6 (continued)
Amendment 3 of this airworthiness directive became effective on 25 February 1988. The original issue of this airworthiness directive became effective on 1 January 1983.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 4 February 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 25 February 2004.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive AD/SWSA226/43 Amdt 6, enacted in 2004 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as a legislative instrument, updates and revokes previous directives to address ongoing safety concerns with Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes. This amendment was introduced to ensure that the approved maintenance systems for these aircraft incorporate the most current inspections and life limitations as specified in the Fairchild Swearingen Corporation's manuals. The policy objective is to enhance the airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating specific maintenance protocols, thereby mitigating the risk of unsafe conditions. This directive became effective on 18 March 2004, and it requires compliance forthwith, ensuring that all relevant inspections and life limitations are strictly followed to maintain the safety standards of these aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to all Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes. This directive mandates that the approved maintenance system for these aircraft must include all relevant inspections and life limitations specified in the applicable issues of Fairchild Swearingen Corporation Manuals, specifically the “Inspection Schedule and Retirement Lives for Life Limited Components”. For the SA 227 Series, the Airworthiness Limitations Manual ST-UN-M001 Rev C-6 dated 7 April 1998 or ST-UN-M003 is to be adhered to, while for the SA 226 Series, Inspection Manual ST-UN-M002, Revision A-5 must be followed. Additionally, the retirement of certain cargo and crew door lower latch assemblies must comply with the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the maintenance manual for the particular aircraft type and model. The directive requires compliance forthwith, with the amendment becoming effective on 18 March 2004. This legislative instrument operates under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, with CASA acting as the delegate. The AD does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, implying that all applicable aircraft must comply with the outlined requirements.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD/SWSA226/43 Amdt 6) require that all SA 226 and SA 227 series aeroplanes must include specified inspections and life limitations in their approved maintenance systems. Specifically, these requirements are outlined in the applicable issue of Fairchild Swearingen Corporation Manuals “Inspection Schedule and Retirement Lives for Life Limited Components”. For SA 227 Series, the relevant manuals are Airworthiness Limitations Manual ST-UN-M001 Rev C-6 dated 7 April 1998 or ST-UN-M003, while for SA 226 Series, the Inspection Manual ST-UN-M002, Revision A-5 must be used. Additionally, there is a note regarding the retirement of cargo and crew door lower latch assemblies P/N 27-24135 and 27-24151, which must be done in accordance with the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the maintenance manual specific to the aircraft type and model.
This AD imposes several obligations on the parties and entities it governs. First, the approved maintenance system of all SA 226 and SA 227 series aeroplanes must incorporate the specified inspections and life limitations as per the Fairchild Swearingen Corporation Manuals. This includes ensuring that all relevant personnel are aware of and trained in these updated procedures. Second, the compliance requirement is immediate, meaning that the specified actions must be taken forthwith. The AD became effective on 18 March 2004, and any non-compliance prior to this date is considered in breach of the directive.
Failure to comply with the AD/SWSA226/43 Amdt 6 may result in various civil and criminal consequences. The AD specifies that the approved maintenance system must adhere to the outlined inspections and life limitations without any deviation. Any non-compliance with these requirements could be viewed as an unsafe condition, potentially leading to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). While the specific penalties are not outlined in the text, non-compliance with CASA directives can typically result in fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of the aircraft until the necessary actions are taken to rectify the unsafe condition.