COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
North American Aviation T-28 Series Aeroplanes
AD/T-28/1 Horizontal Tailplane 4/96
Applicability: All T-28 series aircraft which do not have tailplane reinforcement TO 1T-28-569 incorporated.
Note: Reinforced tailplanes will have ‘D-10’ marked on the tailplane data plate.
Requirement: 1. Remove the elevator and outboard ends of the horizontal tailplane. Visually inspect the aft face of the forward spar and all ribs between the forward and rear spar for signs of cracks. A flexible borescope may be used to assist access.
Inspect both inboard and outboard faces of each rib. Refit or repair all access openings in the tailplane before returning the aircraft to service.
2. Remove fairings, as required, to gain access to the forward horizontal tailplane to fuselage attachment fitting. Visually inspect the attachment fitting for cracks or working rivets. Refit fairings before returning the aircraft to service.
Compliance: 1. Inspect in accordance with Requirements 1 and 2 before 5 hours time in service after 28 March 1996, or before 20 June 1996, whichever occurs first. Re-inspect at intervals not to exceed 50 hours time in service or 1 year, whichever occurs first.
Background: The Warbirds Maintenance Review Board has received a report of a T-28 aircraft with cracks in the tailplane ribs and forward tailplane attachment fitting. The Board has recommended issue of a Directive to inspect unmodified tailplanes on Australian registered T-28 aircraft for similar cracks.
The T-28 aircraft has a history of horizontal tailplane failures. Investigation of the failures by the manufacturer has shown that the design standard in use at the time may not meet applied service loads. The manufacturer has recommended that all tailplanes are strengthened to meet a later design standard. When details of the modification are received this Directive may be amended accordingly. It has been reported that the aircraft found with cracks had not been modified.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, was enacted to provide comprehensive regulations governing civil aviation safety in Australia. One aspect of this legislative framework is the inclusion of Airworthiness Directives aimed at ensuring the safety of specific aircraft models, such as the North American Aviation T-28 Series Aeroplanes. The AD/T-28/1 concerning the horizontal tailplane was introduced to address a recognised problem of structural integrity in the T-28 series aircraft, particularly focusing on the potential for cracks in the tailplane ribs and attachment fittings. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) following recommendations from the Warbirds Maintenance Review Board, aiming to prevent in-flight failures by mandating regular inspections and necessary repairs. The policy objective is to enhance the safety and reliability of these aircraft by identifying and rectifying structural weaknesses before they lead to potential catastrophic outcomes.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for the North American Aviation T-28 series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all T-28 series aircraft registered in Australia, which do not possess the tailplane reinforcement TO 1T-28-569. Aircraft with the reinforcement will have 'D-10' marked on the tailplane data plate, and are thus exempt from this directive. The directive is a Commonwealth regulation and its application is not restricted to any specific state, territory, or jurisdiction within Australia. The scope of the directive is further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments as necessary. The directive outlines specific inspection requirements for the horizontal tailplane to ensure airworthiness and safety, aiming to prevent structural failures such as cracks in the tailplane ribs and attachment fittings. The inspection must be conducted before 5 hours of time in service after 28 March 1996, or before 20 June 1996, whichever occurs first, and subsequent re-inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service or 1 year, whichever occurs first.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, mandate specific actions to ensure the airworthiness of North American Aviation T-28 series aeroplanes. AD/T-28/1 focuses on the horizontal tailplane and applies to all T-28 series aircraft without tailplane reinforcement TO 1T-28-569, identifiable by the absence of 'D-10' on the tailplane data plate. The directive requires operators to visually inspect the aft face of the forward spar and all ribs between the forward and rear spar for signs of cracks, and to inspect the attachment fitting of the forward horizontal tailplane to the fuselage for cracks or working rivets. These inspections must be carried out before 5 hours of time in service after 28 March 1996 or before 20 June 1996, whichever is earlier, and then at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service or 1 year, whichever comes first. Access openings in the tailplane must be refitted or repaired before the aircraft is returned to service.
Compliance with AD/T-28/1 imposes several obligations on the aircraft operators. Operators must ensure that the inspections are conducted meticulously, using tools such as a flexible borescope to assist with access where necessary. After performing the required inspections, operators must refit any removed fairings and repair any access openings. Additionally, operators must maintain records of these inspections to demonstrate compliance with the regulatory requirements. Failure to adhere to these obligations can result in serious safety risks and potential regulatory action.
Breaches of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly AD/T-28/1, can lead to significant civil or criminal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to take enforcement actions against operators who fail to comply with airworthiness directives. In cases of non-compliance, the penalties can include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, and other administrative actions. The severity of the penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, with potential maximum penalties for serious violations reaching up to AUD 1.1 million for corporations and AUD 55,000 for individuals, as stipulated under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These consequences underscore the importance of strict adherence to the regulatory requirements for maintaining aircraft safety.