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/SWSA226/46 Nose Wheel Steering System - Modification 10/83
Applicability: Model SA226-T with S/No. T-249, and S/Nos. T-277 to T-291. Model SA226-TB with S/No. T-276 and S/Nos. T-292 to T-417. Model SA226-AT with S/Nos. AT-025 to AT-069, and AT-071 to AT-074. Model SA226-TC with S/Nos. TC-212 to TC-
419. Also, any SA226 model, regardless of serial number, modified in accordance with Swearingen SB 32-016.
Model SA227-AC S/Nos. AC-398 to AC-599 and all models with hydraulic nose wheel steering. Model SA227-AT with S/No. AT-070, and S/Nos. AT-423 to AT-
596. Model SA227-TT with S/Nos. TT-421 to TT-597.
Document: 1. For affected SA226 aircraft Swearingen SB 32-037, or if optional tiller wheel steering is installed SB 32-039.
2. For affected SA227 aircraft Swearingen SB 32-006.
Note: FAA AD 83-15-09 refers.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 November 1983.
Background: Reports of uncontrollable nose wheel steering malfunctions resulting in substantial damage to aircraft have been indicated by the airworthiness authority of the country of manufacture.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, was enacted to ensure that aircraft meet the highest standards of safety and airworthiness. The legislation addresses the problem of specific models of Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes experiencing uncontrollable nose wheel steering malfunctions that have caused substantial damage to aircraft. This was identified by the airworthiness authority of the country of manufacture, prompting the creation of mandatory modifications to rectify these issues. The Act was enacted by the Parliament of Australia with a clear policy objective to enhance the safety of civil aviation by enforcing stringent airworthiness standards and mandating corrective actions for known safety issues.
The Airworthiness Directive AD/SWSA226/46, which falls under this legislative framework, specifically targets the nose wheel steering system of certain SA226 and SA227 series aircraft. It requires modifications to be made within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1983, to mitigate the risk of uncontrollable nose wheel steering. The directive references relevant Swearingen Service Bulletins and correlates with the Federal Aviation Administration’s AD 83-15-09 to ensure uniformity in addressing the identified safety concern across jurisdictions.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, include specific airworthiness directives that govern the safety and maintenance standards of aircraft operating within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, which applies to certain Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes. The directive applies to specific models and serial numbers of these aircraft, mandating modifications to the nose wheel steering system to address reported instances of uncontrollable malfunctions that have caused substantial damage. Compliance with these directives is required within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1983. The regulations ensure that the affected aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to operate within the Australian aviation jurisdiction, with adherence verified through the documentation of approved modifications and compliance records.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, outline the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, with AD/SWSA226/46 addressing modifications to the nose wheel steering system of Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes (subsection 105.015). This directive applies to certain models and serial numbers of SA226 and SA227 aircraft, including those modified according to Swearingen SB 32-016 (subsection 105.021). The applicable models and serial numbers are detailed in the legislation, covering a range from SA226-T through to SA227-TT (subsection 105.025).
The directive requires affected aircraft to comply with specific service bulletins to address nose wheel steering system issues. SA226 aircraft must adhere to Swearingen SB 32-037, or if equipped with optional tiller wheel steering, SB 32-039. Meanwhile, SA227 aircraft must comply with Swearingen SB 32-006 (subsection 105.030). The directive references FAA AD 83-15-09 for additional guidance (subsection 105.035). Compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1983 (subsection 105.040).
Operators and owners of the specified aircraft must ensure that the required modifications are implemented by the stipulated deadline. This includes conducting necessary inspections, repairs, or replacements as outlined in the referenced service bulletins to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft (subsection 105.045). Failure to comply with these directives can result in serious safety issues, including uncontrollable nose wheel steering malfunctions, which have previously caused substantial damage to aircraft (subsection 105.050).
In terms of penalties and consequences, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose significant penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Operators or owners who fail to comply with AD/SWSA226/46 may face civil penalties, including fines up to the maximum allowable amount under the regulations, and potentially criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to accidents or incidents (subsection 105.055). The severity of the penalties reflects the critical nature of maintaining airworthiness standards to ensure the safety of flight operations (subsection 105.060).