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/SWSA226/69 Wing - Upper Skin at WS 81 5/95
Applicability: Models SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-AT and SA226-TC listed in Fairchild Service Bulletin (SB) 226-57-018 Revised October 25, 1993.
Models SA227-TT, SA227-AT, SA227-AC and SA227-BC listed in Fairchild SB 227-57-005 Revised July 1 1993. Models SA227-CC and SA227-DC listed in Fairchild SB CC7-57-002 Revised July 1, 1993.
Requirement: 1. Visually inspect the wing upper surface skin at the top aft outboard corner of the battery box for cracking.
Inspect in accordance with paragraph 2 ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS, sub paragraph A Inspection, of the applicable Fairchild SB.
2. Dye penetrant inspect the edges of P/N 27-31130 straps for cracking.
Inspect in accordance with paragraph 2 ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS, sub paragraph A Inspection, of the applicable Fairchild SB.
3. Modify the upper wing skin in accordance with paragraph 2 ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS, sub paragraph B Removal, and sub para C Installation, of the applicable Fairchild SB.
Note: FAA AD 94-07-10 refers.
Compliance: 1. Initially inspect in accordance with Requirement 1 before 2500 hours time in service or within 100 hours time in service after 27 April 1995, which ever is the later. Re-inspect at intervals not to exceed 500 hours time in service.
2. If cracks are found as a result of Requirement 1 inspection, inspect in accordance with Requirement 2 before further flight. Re-inspect at intervals not to exceed 50 hours time in service.
3. Modify in accordance with Requirement 3 before further flight if cracks are found as a result of Requirement 2 inspection.
Modification in accordance with Requirement 2 cancels the inspection requirements of this AD.
Background: Reports have been received of cracking in the upper surface wing skin in the subject area. This AD will ensure that any problem is detected at an early stage and provides terminating repair/modification action.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address the safety of aircraft through the issuance of airworthiness directives. Enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, these regulations aim to maintain high safety standards within the aviation industry. One such directive, AD/SWSA226/69, pertains to the Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 Series Aeroplanes, addressing the specific problem of reported cracking in the upper surface wing skin. This directive was introduced to ensure that any such issues are detected early and appropriate repair or modification actions are undertaken to prevent potential safety hazards. The overarching policy objective is to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft and protect public safety by providing clear and actionable safety guidelines.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes, encompassing models SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-AT, SA226-TC, SA227-TT, SA227-AT, SA227-AC, SA227-BC, SA227-CC, and SA227-DC. This legislation mandates specific inspections and modifications to the wing upper skin and the battery box area to address and mitigate the risk of cracking, as outlined in the applicable Fairchild Service Bulletins. The regulations are applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), ensuring adherence to safety standards across the nation. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this directive; all specified aircraft models must comply with the outlined requirements. Compliance is enforced through initial inspections and subsequent periodic checks, with modifications mandated if cracking is detected. This legislation underscores the importance of maintaining the structural integrity of these aircraft to ensure safety in civil aviation operations.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish detailed airworthiness directives for various aircraft models, including the Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes. The particular directive AD/SWSA226/69 (section 1) addresses the issue of cracking in the upper wing skin at the top aft outboard corner of the battery box. The directive applies to certain models of these aeroplanes, as listed in the relevant Fairchild service bulletins (sections 2 and 3).
The directive outlines several specific requirements. Firstly, operators must visually inspect the wing upper surface skin for any signs of cracking (section 4, Requirement 1). Secondly, if any cracks are detected, the edges of the P/N 27-31130 straps must be dye penetrant inspected for cracking (section 4, Requirement 2). Finally, if cracks are found, the upper wing skin must be modified in accordance with the applicable Fairchild service bulletin (section 4, Requirement 3). The directive also specifies the frequency of these inspections and modifications, with initial inspections and modifications to be carried out within specific timeframes and subsequent inspections at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service (section 5).
Compliance with this directive is mandatory for the specified aircraft models. Operators must adhere to the prescribed inspection and modification schedules to ensure airworthiness. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft being grounded or deemed non-airworthy, potentially leading to safety risks and regulatory penalties (section 6).
The directive also includes provisions for penalties and consequences in case of non-compliance. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text provided, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in substantial civil or criminal penalties, including fines, imprisonment, or both. These penalties are intended to enforce adherence to safety regulations and ensure the highest standards of aviation safety are maintained (section 7).