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
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/TB10/31 Rudder Bearing 3/2001
Applicability: All Model TB9 and TB10 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, specifically within Part 39 - 105, establish a comprehensive framework for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft within Australia. The legislative instrument F2006B07300, issued as an Airworthiness Directive (AD) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 6 February 2001, addresses a critical safety concern identified in the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) Series Aeroplanes. This directive was enacted to respond to a reported incident where the rudder and its control linkage separated due to the rupture of the lower hinge fitting, which posed a significant risk to the safety of the aircraft. The AD mandates a visual inspection of the rudder lower hinge fitting for cracks, with subsequent repair if necessary, to mitigate this safety risk and ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft. The objective of this directive is to enhance aviation safety by preventing similar incidents through proactive inspection and maintenance protocols.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, mandate the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. AD/TB10/31 applies to all Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) Series Aeroplanes that are more than 4 years old or have accumulated more than 2000 flight hours. This directive requires a visual inspection of the rudder lower hinge fitting for cracks, as outlined in Socata TB Service Bulletin No. SB 10-114-55. If a crack is detected, it must be repaired in accordance with Socata repair No 20-018 before any further flight. The compliance period for this directive is set from the next scheduled inspection after 22 March 2001, but no later than 22 May 2001. The AD becomes effective from 22 March 2001 and aims to address a reported issue of rudder separation due to a ruptured lower hinge fitting, without constituting terminating action.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, contains specific requirements for the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) Series Aeroplanes. This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD/TB10/31) pertains to the rudder bearing and mandates actions to rectify any unsafe conditions identified. The AD was issued on 6 February 2001 by a CASA delegate, David Alan Villiers, and became effective on 22 March 2001. This directive applies to all Model TB9 and TB10 aircraft that have surpassed either 4 years of age or 2000 flight hours.
The directive imposes certain obligations on the owners and operators of the affected aircraft. Specifically, they must visually inspect the rudder lower hinge fitting for any cracks, following the instructions provided in Socata TB Service Bulletin No. SB 10-114-55. If a crack is detected during this inspection, it is imperative that the repair is conducted in accordance with Socata repair No 20-018 before the aircraft is permitted to fly again. This inspection must be completed during the next scheduled inspection after 22 March 2001, but no later than 22 May 2001.
Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this AD may result in various consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the AD itself, non-compliance with CASA regulations generally can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. The severity of the penalty would depend on the specific circumstances and the discretion of the regulatory authority. It is crucial for operators to adhere to these directives to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft and the safety of all persons onboard.