AD/SWSA226/64 - Engine Power Lever

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, addresses various directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. This legislative instrument, F2006B07206, pertains to the Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes, presenting a safety directive aimed at rectifying issues related to the engine power lever. This directive was introduced to address a problem of significant wear causing improper operation of the engine power control levers on certain models of these aircraft. The objective is to mandate a one-time modification of the power lever detent arms and cover assembly to ensure continued safe operation of the aircraft. The directive was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring compliance with international standards as referenced in the Federal Aviation Administration’s AD 91-23-04. Compliance with these modifications is required within 100 hours of the aircraft being in service after 3 February 1992.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes, establish stringent requirements for the maintenance and modification of these aircraft to ensure ongoing airworthiness and safety. The regulation applies to specific model serial numbers of these aircraft, including various sub-models of the SA226 and SA227 series, and mandates that modifications to the engine power lever detent arms and cover assembly must be carried out in accordance with the specified Fairchild Service Bulletins. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved within 100 hours of the aircraft’s time in service after 3 February 1992, addressing issues of significant wear that can cause improper operation of the engine power control levers. The directive applies to aircraft operators and maintenance personnel within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the specified safety standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the applicability of certain airworthiness directives for specific models of Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes. According to section 39 - 105, the regulation requires modifications to the power lever detent arms and cover assembly of these aircraft to address issues of improper operation due to significant wear. This directive, AD/SWSA226/64, applies to a defined range of model serial numbers, including SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-AT, SA226-TC, SA227-TT, SA227-AT, SA227-AC, SA227-BC (section 39 - 105(1)). The required modification must be performed in accordance with Fairchild Service Bulletins 226-76-008 or 227-76-002, as applicable, to ensure the aircraft meet safety standards. The Civil Aviation Regulations impose specific obligations on the operators of the affected aircraft. Operators must comply with the directive within 100 hours of time in service after 3 February 1992 (section 39 - 105(2)). This means that if an aircraft falls within the specified serial numbers, the power lever detent arms and cover assembly must be modified before it accumulates 100 hours of operational time following the date of the directive. Failure to comply within this timeframe can result in the aircraft being considered non-airworthy, which can lead to grounding and prevent the aircraft from being used in commercial or private flights. Breach of the requirements set forth in the Civil Aviation Regulations can have serious consequences. Operators who fail to comply with the airworthiness directive may face enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Penalties for non-compliance can include fines and potential criminal charges, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance on aviation safety. The specific penalties are detailed in other sections of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which may include significant financial penalties and potential imprisonment for serious breaches. Ensuring compliance with these directives is crucial for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft.