AD/TB20/16 - Nose Landing Gear Lever Adjusting Screws

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, include Part 39 - 105, a schedule of airworthiness directives designed to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft within Australian airspace. This legislative instrument addresses specific safety concerns associated with certain aircraft models, including the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes. In particular, the airworthiness directive AD/TB20/16 pertains to the nose landing gear lever adjusting screws, aiming to prevent these screws from becoming loose, a problem identified in the country of origin's aviation directive. The policy objective behind these regulations is to mandate compliance with specific safety measures, ensuring that aircraft meet necessary safety standards before exceeding certain operational hours. For the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes, this involves taking action in accordance with Aerospatiale Socata TB SB 46/1 to address the issue of the nose landing gear lever adjusting screws. Compliance with these directives is critical to maintaining the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft within Australian airspace, thus protecting both passengers and crew.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically within Part 39 - 105, apply to Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes, as outlined in the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives AD/TB20/16. This regulation targets TB20 and TB21 aircraft with specific serial numbers, including those from 1 to 701 inclusive, as well as serial numbers 707 and 709, except for 664 and 665. The directive mandates compliance with the action specified in Aerospatiale Socata TB SB 46/1 to address the potential issue of nose landing gear lever adjusting screws becoming loose. Compliance is required unless the action has already been taken, and it must be completed prior to the aircraft exceeding 100 hours of time in service after the directive's issuance date of 22 March 1990. This directive extends from the French civil aviation authority's AD, aimed at enhancing aviation safety. The scope of this regulation is limited to the specified series of aircraft and serial numbers, ensuring targeted compliance and maintenance measures. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the directive itself, but compliance can be influenced by any relevant subordinate instruments or additional regulatory guidance that may extend or modify its application. The regulation's enforcement ensures that the specified aircraft meet necessary safety standards, preventing potential mechanical failures related to the nose landing gear lever adjusting screws.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, concerning the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes, are outlined in AD/TB20/16. This regulation mandates actions regarding the nose landing gear lever adjusting screws, as specified in Aerospatiale Socata TB SB 46/1. This directive applies to TB20 and TB21 aircraft with serial numbers (S/Nos) ranging from 1 to 701, inclusive, excluding S/No 664 and 665, as well as S/No 707 and 709. The action required must be taken in compliance with the directive unless it has already been completed. The directive stipulates that the necessary actions must be undertaken prior to the aircraft exceeding 100 hours of time in service following 22 March 1990. The obligations imposed by this legislation on the parties or entities it governs are primarily concerned with ensuring the airworthiness and safety of the specified aircraft models. Operators of the TB20 and TB21 aircraft within the affected serial number ranges must adhere to the directive's requirements. This includes verifying that the nose landing gear lever adjusting screws are properly adjusted and secured to prevent any loosening. The directive's purpose is to mitigate potential safety risks associated with loose adjusting screws, ensuring that the aircraft remains airworthy and compliant with safety standards. Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in AD/TB20/16 could result in significant consequences. The legislation imposes strict requirements to ensure the safety of aircraft operations, and non-compliance may lead to various penalties and consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can generally result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This may include fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of non-compliant aircraft until the required actions are completed. The severity of the penalties may depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance and any resultant safety risks.