COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Aerospatiale (Socata) TB 200 Series Aeroplanes
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/TB 200/4 Rudder Bearing 3/2001
Applicability: All Model TB200 aircraft that are more than 4 years old or have accumulated more than 2000 flight hours.
Requirement: Visually inspect for cracks on the rudder lower hinge fitting, according to the instructions of Socata TB Service Bulletin No. SB 10-114-55.
If a crack is detected, repair in accordance with Socata repair No 20-018 before further flight.
Note: DGAC AD 2001-002(A) refers.
Compliance: During the next scheduled inspection after 22 March 2001 or at the latest by 22 May 2001.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 22 March 2001.
Background: The DGAC has received a report of a separation between the rudder and its control linkage, due to rupture of the lower hinge fitting. This Directive requires an inspection of the fleet. It does not constitute terminating action.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 6 February 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 21 February 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia's Parliament, regulate various aspects of civil aviation safety, including the issuance of Airworthiness Directives to address safety concerns. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the Regulations under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) mandates the creation of such directives to ensure aircraft maintain a safe operational standard. The legislative instrument F2006B07271, introduced on 21 February 2001, addresses a specific safety issue with Aerospatiale (Socata) TB 200 Series aeroplanes, namely potential cracks in the rudder lower hinge fitting that could lead to rudder separation. This directive aims to rectify the unsafe condition by requiring a visual inspection and necessary repairs to maintain the airworthiness of affected aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) form part of the legislative framework governing civil aviation within Australia, and the particular Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/TB 200/4 pertains specifically to Aerospatiale (Socata) TB 200 Series Aeroplanes. This AD applies to all Model TB200 aircraft that have surpassed a certain age or accumulated a specific number of flight hours, specifically those more than 4 years old or with more than 2000 flight hours. The AD mandates that these aircraft undergo a visual inspection for cracks on the rudder lower hinge fitting, following the instructions outlined in Socata TB Service Bulletin No. SB 10-114-55. If a crack is identified during the inspection, it necessitates repair according to Socata repair No 20-018 before further operation of the aircraft. This directive does not terminate the airworthiness of the aircraft but is intended to ensure ongoing safety by identifying and correcting potential issues before they escalate. Compliance with the AD must occur during the next scheduled inspection following the directive's effective date of 22 March 2001, with a latest compliance date of 22 May 2001. The AD is issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and references a similar directive from the DGAC AD 2001-002(A), aligning with international safety standards and practices.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, Section 105, mandate specific actions to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft. The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/TB 200/4, issued on 6 February 2001, specifically applies to all Model TB200 aircraft that are more than 4 years old or have accumulated more than 2000 flight hours (Section 3). The directive requires a visual inspection of the rudder lower hinge fitting for any cracks, following the instructions outlined in Socata TB Service Bulletin No. SB 10-114-55 (Section 4). If a crack is detected during the inspection, it must be repaired in accordance with Socata repair No 20-018 before the aircraft can be flown again (Section 4). This directive was prompted by a reported separation between the rudder and its control linkage due to a rupture in the lower hinge fitting (Background).
Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the inspections and repairs are carried out as per the AD. This involves scheduling the inspection during the next scheduled inspection after 22 March 2001 or at the latest by 22 May 2001 (Section 5). The AD becomes effective from 22 March 2001, meaning that all operators must comply with its requirements from that date. The directive references DGAC AD 2001-002(A), indicating that it aligns with or is derived from directives issued by the DGAC.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in significant legal and safety consequences. The AD is legally binding and non-compliance could potentially lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). While the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD itself, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can result in penalties including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. It is crucial for operators to adhere strictly to the requirements of the AD to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft.