AD/TB10/26 Amdt 2 - Main Landing Gear Support Ribs

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, introduced by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, aims to ensure the safe operation of civil aviation through stringent airworthiness directives. One such directive, AD/TB10/26 Amendment 2, pertains to Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) Series Aeroplanes, targeting the inspection and modification of the Main Landing Gear support ribs to maintain structural integrity. This directive was enacted to address specific safety concerns identified in the operation of these aircraft models, ensuring compliance with both the manufacturer's service bulletins and relevant international airworthiness directives. The overarching policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by enforcing rigorous maintenance and inspection standards on critical aircraft components. The Airworthiness Directive AD/TB10/26 Amendment 2, effective from 9 September 1996, applies to Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9, TB10, and TB200 series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 9999. It mandates detailed inspection and modification of the Main Landing Gear ribs in accordance with SOCATA TB SB10.085.57 Amendment 2, reflecting updates to inspection procedures and the inclusion of the TB200 model. This amendment ensures that the structural integrity of the landing gear is maintained, thus preventing potential failures that could compromise flight safety. The directive became effective on 15 August 1996, following the initial issue on 2 March 1995 and subsequent amendment on 7 December 1995.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the application of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Airworthiness Directives, which include detailed requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of specific aircraft models. This particular legislative instrument, AD/TB10/26 Amendment 2, pertains to Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) series aeroplanes, as well as the TB200, with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 9999. The directive mandates that the main landing gear support ribs be inspected and modified in accordance with the manufacturer's Service Bulletin SB10.085.57 Amendment 2. It references DGAC AD 94-265(A)R4 for further context and compliance. The directive became effective on 15 August 1996, with its original issue on 2 March 1995, and subsequent amendments on 7 December 1995 and later, which updated the inspection procedures and expanded the applicability to include the TB200 model. The directive is enforced under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring adherence to safety standards across the nation.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) Series Aeroplanes. Specifically, AD/TB10/26 Amendment 2 addresses the main landing gear support ribs of these models. According to section 39-105, the directive applies to all models TB9, TB10, and TB200 with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 9999. The directive mandates that the main landing gear ribs be inspected and modified in accordance with SOCATA TB SB10.085.57 Amendment 2, referencing DGAC AD 94-265(A)R4. Compliance with this directive is required starting from 15 August 1996. The Airworthiness Directive imposes specific obligations on the owners and operators of the affected aircraft. They must ensure that the main landing gear support ribs are inspected and modified as per the specified requirements. This includes adherence to the procedures outlined in SOCATA TB SB10.085.57 Amendment 2 and any referenced DGAC AD. Compliance must be achieved by the specified effective date, and ongoing compliance is essential to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with these obligations could lead to serious safety implications and potential grounding of the aircraft. In the event of non-compliance with the AD/TB10/26 Amendment 2, there are potential legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide for offences related to non-compliance with airworthiness directives. The specific penalties for breach can include fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The maximum penalties are not explicitly stated in the directive but are determined by the broader legislative framework under which the Civil Aviation Act operates. Furthermore, failure to comply with these directives can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to significant operational disruptions and safety risks.