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/SWSA226/74
Amdt 3
Landing Gear Stress Corrosion 2/98
Applicability: Models SA226-T, SA226-AT, SA226-TC, SA226-T(B), SA227-AC, SA227-AT,
SA227-BC, SA227-TT, SA227-CC, and SA227-DC, all serial numbers, equipped with one or more of the following Ozone Industries Inc:
- MLG Yoke P/n OAS5453 all dash numbers up to and including -19 or
- NLG yoke P/n OAS5451 all dash numbers up to and including -17 Requirement: 1. Inspect and protect, in accordance with the following Fairchild SBs as revised
28 September 1995, and as applicable:
a. SB 226-32-065,
b. SB 227-32-039, or
c. SB CC7-32-007.
Note: Requirement document Effective pages are as follows:
a. 1, 5, and 8 Revised 28 September 1995
b. 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9 Issued 16 August 1995.
2. Replace cracked NLG and MLG yokes.
Note 1. Replacement of a yoke assembly with an approved part other than that specified in the Applicability statement terminates the repetitive inspection requirement for that landing gear.
Note 2. FAA AD 96-19-05 refers.
Compliance: 1. Unless already accomplished, within 75 hours time in service after 29 January 1998, or prior to the installation of a replacement nose or main landing gear; thereafter, at intervals not exceeding 2500 hours time in service or 12 months, whichever occurs first.
2. Prior to further flight.
This amendment becomes effective on 29 January 1998.
Background: The actions specified in this Directive are intended to prevent MLG or NLG failure caused by stress corrosion cracks in the yokes, which if not detected could cause loss of control of the aircraft during landing operations.
Amendment 1 was raised to incorporate the revised procedures of the amended requirement document and the revised FAA AD.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Amendment 2 was raised to remove cracked NLG and MLG yokes from service, due to an inability to determine, or to predict, crack growth on areas where stress corrosion occurs in primary structure with a single load path, (landing gear is considered to be such structure).
Amendment 3 is raised to clarify that a MLG yoke or NLG yoke must now be removed from service before further flight if any cracks are detected during inspection. The previous staggered replacement time was intended to be applicable for the initial inspection only.
Amendment 2 of this airworthiness directive became effective on 30 October 1995. Amendment 1 of this airworthiness directive became effective on 27 October 1995.
The original issue of this airworthiness directive became effective on 25 October 1995.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Australian Parliament, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations within Australia. This legislation, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), was enacted to establish comprehensive regulatory frameworks governing various aspects of civil aviation, including airworthiness directives. One such directive, AD/SWSA226/74 Amendment 3, was introduced to address the problem of stress corrosion cracks in the landing gear yokes of Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes. The directive's policy objective is to prevent potential loss of control during landing operations by mandating inspections, protective measures, and replacements of cracked yokes. Compliance with these directives is crucial to maintaining the airworthiness of these aircraft and ensuring passenger and crew safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Airworthiness Directive AD/SWSA226/74 Amendment 3, pertains to the Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes, specifically models SA226-T, SA226-AT, SA226-TC, SA226-T(B), SA227-AC, SA227-AT, SA227-BC, SA227-TT, SA227-CC, and SA227-DC, all serial numbers, equipped with certain Ozone Industries Inc components. This directive applies to all operators of the specified aircraft models within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring compliance with civil aviation safety standards. The directive mandates inspections and protective measures to address stress corrosion issues in the landing gear yokes to prevent potential loss of control during landing operations. Operators must inspect and protect the yokes in accordance with specified service bulletins and replace any cracked yokes before further flight. Compliance is required within 75 hours of service after 29 January 1998 or prior to installing a replacement landing gear, and at intervals not exceeding 2500 hours in service or 12 months, whichever comes first. This regulatory framework ensures that all relevant aircraft maintain airworthiness standards, mitigating risks associated with structural failures.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as detailed in Part 39 - 105, mandates specific airworthiness directives for Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes, particularly concerning the landing gear yokes. Section 1 of Amendment 3 of AD/SWSA226/74 requires the inspection and protection of certain landing gear yokes in compliance with revised Service Bulletins (SBs) from Fairchild, specifically SB 226-32-065, SB 227-32-039, and SB CC7-32-007. These bulletins must be adhered to as revised on 28 September 1995 and issued on 16 August 1995. Additionally, the directive mandates the replacement of any cracked yokes, with the replacement of a yoke assembly terminating the repetitive inspection requirement for that landing gear. It is also noted that FAA AD 96-19-05 is relevant to this directive.
The obligations imposed by this airworthiness directive are stringent and focused on ensuring the safety of the aircraft. Operators of the specified models must ensure that inspections and necessary replacements are carried out within the stipulated timeframes. For instance, inspections and replacements must be completed within 75 hours of time in service after 29 January 1998 or before the installation of a replacement nose or main landing gear. Subsequent inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 2500 hours of time in service or 12 months, whichever comes first. Furthermore, any cracked yokes must be removed from service before any further flight.
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in significant legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the airworthiness directive itself, general civil aviation regulations can impose fines and potential imprisonment for serious breaches. The severity of the consequences underscores the importance of adhering to these safety mandates to prevent potential catastrophic outcomes, such as loss of control during landing operations due to stress corrosion cracks in the yokes.