AD/TB20/11 - Hydraulic Brake Line Clearance

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework governing civil aviation in Australia. These regulations, which include Part 39, aim to ensure the safety of air travel by setting standards for aircraft maintenance, operations, and airworthiness. Specifically, Airworthiness Directive AD/TB20/11 addresses a safety concern identified with the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes, particularly regarding the potential damage to the cockpit hydraulic brake lines caused by the aileron and rudder control rods. This directive was introduced to mitigate risks associated with this issue, ensuring that affected aircraft meet specific maintenance requirements to prevent accidents or failures. Compliance with AD/TB20/11 is mandatory within 100 hours of time in service or at the next scheduled inspection after 30 October 1987, whichever is earlier. The policy objective behind this directive is to enhance the safety and reliability of the TB20 series aircraft by mandating corrective actions as specified by the manufacturer’s Service Bulletin No 33. The directive references Bureau Veritas AD 87-118(A) and excludes certain serial numbers from the requirement to ensure that only the affected aircraft undergo the necessary modifications.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, apply to all model TB20 and TB21 aeroplanes up to serial number 755, with specific exclusions for certain serial numbers as detailed in AD/TB20/11. This regulation is pertinent to the maintenance and operational safety of these aircraft and is applicable throughout Australia as a Commonwealth regulation. The scope of this legislation extends to ensuring that all affected aircraft comply with the manufacturer's service bulletin SB No 33, as referenced by Bureau Veritas AD 87-118(A), to address reported instances of cockpit hydraulic brake lines being damaged by aileron and rudder control rods. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with actions required within 100 hours of time in service or at the next scheduled inspection after 30 October 1987, whichever comes first. This regulation does not extend to the excluded serial numbers specified in the directive.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that mandate specific actions to ensure the safety of aircraft. One such directive is AD/TB20/11, which pertains to Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes. This directive, effective from 30 October 1987, requires that all model TB20 and TB21 aircraft up to serial number 755, excluding certain specified serial numbers, must comply with Aerospatiale Socata Service Bulletin No 33. This action is to address reported instances where the cockpit hydraulic brake lines have been damaged by the aileron and rudder control rods. Compliance with this directive is mandated within 100 hours of time in service or at the next scheduled maintenance inspection, whichever occurs first. Entities governed by these regulations, such as aircraft operators and maintenance service providers, must ensure that the required actions outlined in the Aerospatiale Socata Service Bulletin No 33 are taken promptly. This includes inspecting the hydraulic brake lines for any signs of damage and taking corrective measures as necessary. Additionally, operators must maintain accurate records of compliance with this directive, including the dates of inspections and any remedial actions taken. The burden of compliance is on the operator to ensure that their aircraft meet the specified airworthiness standards. Failure to comply with AD/TB20/11 can result in serious safety risks, including potential brake failure during critical phases of flight. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can impose penalties for non-compliance. The specific consequences may vary, but they can include fines, enforcement actions, and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required compliance is achieved. The exact penalties are determined based on the severity and circumstances of the breach, but they are designed to enforce adherence to the safety standards mandated by the regulations.