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/TB10/9 Stabilator Control Rod Ends 4/87 DM
Applicability: All models with S/Nos 1 to 709, except S/Nos 652, 653, 661, 664, 665, 672, 691, 701
to 706.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Socata S.B. No. 29.
Note: Bureau Veritas AD 87-003(A) refers.
Compliance: Within 25 hours time-in-service after 6 February 1987 and thereafter at each scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue until modified.
Background: The manufacturer reports instances of stabilator operating rod ends with excessive play due to loose rivets.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, represent a comprehensive framework aimed at ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. Part 39 of these regulations includes specific directives for maintaining the airworthiness of various aircraft models, addressing identified safety issues through Airworthiness Directives (ADs). One such directive, AD/TB10/9, targets the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) series aeroplanes, focusing on stabilator control rod ends. This directive was introduced to address a problem where the stabilator operating rod ends exhibited excessive play due to loose rivets, a safety concern identified by the manufacturer. The policy objective behind this legislation is to ensure that all affected aircraft are maintained to a standard that eliminates such safety hazards, thereby safeguarding the integrity and reliability of air travel.
The specific Airworthiness Directive AD/TB10/9 mandates compliance within 25 hours of time-in-service after the directive's issuance on 6 February 1987, and subsequently at each scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release. This requirement is in accordance with Socata Service Bulletin No. 29, referencing Bureau Veritas AD 87-003(A). The directive applies to all models with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 709, excluding specific numbers identified as exceptions. The aim is to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of these aircraft by addressing the identified issue promptly and effectively.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), pertain to the airworthiness directives for the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) series aeroplanes. Specifically, Airworthiness Directive AD/TB10/9 addresses the stabilator control rod ends, requiring action in accordance with Socata Service Bulletin No. 29. This directive applies to all models within the specified series with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 709, with certain exceptions noted for serial numbers 652, 653, 661, 664, 665, 672, 691, and 701 to 706. The directive mandates compliance within 25 hours of time-in-service following 6 February 1987 and subsequently at each scheduled inspection for the issue of a Maintenance Release. This regulation is underpinned by the manufacturer's report of issues with stabilator operating rod ends experiencing excessive play due to loose rivets, as referenced in Bureau Veritas AD 87-003(A). The scope of this directive is strictly within the Commonwealth of Australia, and it extends to all relevant aircraft operators and maintenance organisations within its jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within PART 39 - 105 and AD/TB10/9, detail the requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of Aerospatiale (Socata) TB9 and TB10 (Tobago) series aeroplanes. According to section (4/87 DMApplicability), the directive applies to all models with serial numbers 1 to 709, excluding those with specific serial numbers such as 652, 653, 661, 664, 665, 672, 691, 701 to 706. The requirement (Requirement) outlined in Socata S.B. No. 29 must be adhered to, which involves addressing the stabilator operating rod ends that have shown instances of excessive play due to loose rivets. Compliance with these directives is essential and must occur within 25 hours of time-in-service following 6 February 1987, and subsequently at each scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue until the modification is completed.
Operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the stabilator control rod ends are examined and any issues are rectified in line with the specified manufacturer's bulletin. This involves a detailed inspection to identify and fix any loose rivets that could lead to excessive play, ensuring the stabilator operates within safe parameters. Compliance with the requirements is critical for maintaining the aircraft's airworthiness standards and ensuring the safety of all those on board. The directive references Bureau Veritas AD 87-003(A), which provides additional context and guidance for the modifications needed.
Failure to comply with these provisions can have serious legal and safety implications. The Civil Aviation Regulations impose strict obligations on operators and maintenance personnel to ensure that all directives are followed meticulously. Non-compliance not only risks the safety of the flight but also leads to potential legal consequences, including fines and other penalties. The regulations mandate that any breach of these airworthiness directives can result in significant civil or criminal consequences, underscoring the importance of strict adherence to the specified requirements. The specific penalties for non-compliance, although not detailed in the text, generally include financial penalties and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are verified and approved.