COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) Series Aeroplanes
AD/TB10/13 Aircraft Wiring/Support Bracket Clearance 2/90
Applicability: All Socata TB10 aircraft.
Requirement: Inspect the aircraft to ensure that adequate clearance exists between the folded edge of the terminal block support bracket behind the LH firewall door (assy P/N TB10- 23-020-104) and the adjacent terminal board wiring. Modify aircraft if necessary.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 22 February 1990.
Background: One instance has been reported where the terminal block support bracket behind the LH firewall door chaffed through 3 live wires of the adjacent terminal board wiring.
It is considered that this condition could exist on other aircraft of this type. Therefore, to prevent a potentially serious situation, inspection (and modification as necessary) is required.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of Part 39-105, address safety directives and specifically include provisions for Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) Series Aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directives (AD). Enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, these regulations aim to ensure that civil aviation operations within Australia meet stringent safety standards. One such directive, AD/TB10/13, was introduced to address a specific safety issue identified with the Socata TB10 aircraft model. The directive mandates an inspection to ensure adequate clearance exists between the folded edge of the terminal block support bracket behind the left-hand firewall door and the adjacent terminal board wiring. This directive responds to a reported incident where the bracket chaffed through live wires, potentially leading to serious safety risks. The policy objective is to proactively prevent similar incidents by requiring timely inspections and necessary modifications.
The directive is applicable to all Socata TB10 aircraft and requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service following 22 February 1990. By implementing these measures, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority aims to enhance the safety of aircraft operations and protect both passengers and crew from potential hazards arising from wiring issues. The legislative instrument underscores the importance of regular safety checks and the commitment to maintaining high aviation safety standards in Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates that all Socata TB10 series aircraft must adhere to Airworthiness Directive AD/TB10/13, which pertains to the inspection and, if necessary, the modification of aircraft wiring to ensure adequate clearance between the folded edge of the terminal block support bracket behind the left-hand firewall door and the adjacent terminal board wiring. This regulation applies to all Socata TB10 aircraft, ensuring that there is a minimum clearance to prevent chafing of live wires, which has already been identified as a risk factor. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service after 22 February 1990, as a preventive measure against potentially serious electrical issues that could compromise flight safety. The directive applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, encompassing all entities operating Socata TB10 aircraft within the country’s jurisdiction. There are no specified exclusions or exemptions noted in the directive itself; however, further details and specific implementation guidelines might be provided through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, in particular the Airworthiness Directive (AD/TB10/13), addresses the safety of the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) Series Aeroplanes, focusing on aircraft wiring and support bracket clearance. According to section (2/90), the directive applies to all Socata TB10 aircraft. The primary requirement is to inspect the aircraft to ensure that there is adequate clearance between the folded edge of the terminal block support bracket behind the left-hand (LH) firewall door (assembly P/N TB10-23-020-104) and the adjacent terminal board wiring. If necessary, modifications must be made to the aircraft. This inspection and modification must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 22 February 1990.
The obligations imposed by the AD/TB10/13 are clear and specific. Owners and operators of Socata TB10 aircraft must ensure that the prescribed inspection and any necessary modifications are carried out within the stipulated timeframe. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft not meeting the necessary safety standards, potentially leading to in-flight hazards or other safety concerns. The directive aims to prevent situations where the terminal block support bracket chafes through the live wires of the adjacent terminal board wiring, which could lead to electrical failures or other critical issues.
Breach of the requirements set out in AD/TB10/13 can lead to serious consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the text of the directive, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can generally result in significant fines, enforcement actions, and potential criminal charges. The severity of the penalties can depend on the extent of the non-compliance and the impact on aviation safety. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take action against non-compliant aircraft, which may include grounding the aircraft until the required modifications are completed. Such actions are taken to ensure the highest standards of aviation safety are maintained and to protect the public from potential risks associated with non-compliance.