AD/TB20/17 Amdt 1 - Front Seat Safety Belts

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through F2006B07320, specifically address the safety concerns associated with the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes. Enacted by the Australian Government, these regulations aim to ensure the continued airworthiness of aircraft through stringent safety directives. The policy objective is to mitigate risks associated with hidden seat belt anchorage fittings, which are susceptible to corrosion and thus require regular inspection. This legislative instrument targets all Model TB20 and TB21 series aircraft, mandating compliance with the Socata Mandatory Service Bulletin 10.044.25 Amendment 1, which aligns with the revision of the Country of Origin AD to reduce inspection intervals. The overarching goal is to enhance safety standards in civil aviation by ensuring that all aircraft meet the necessary safety criteria, particularly in relation to critical components such as seat belt anchorages.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) series aeroplanes, including models TB20 and TB21. This legislative instrument mandates adherence to the safety requirements outlined in SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin 10.044.25 Amendment 1, which pertains to the front seat safety belt anchorage fittings. These fittings are often obscured by aircraft trim, making them difficult to inspect for corrosion. The requirement necessitates compliance with the directive prior to 2 March 1996, and subsequently, at intervals not exceeding 12 calendar months. The amendment aligns with the revision of the Country of Origin AD, reducing the inspection interval to enhance safety. This regulation is applicable nationally under the Commonwealth of Australia and extends to all relevant aircraft operating within Australian jurisdiction. The legislation does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but compliance must be achieved through the prescribed service bulletin amendment.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes. This AD, AD/TB20/17 Amendment 1, pertains to the front seat safety belts and applies to all Model TB20 and TB21 series aircraft. The requirement is that the action must be taken in accordance with SOCATA Mandatory Service Bulletin 10.044.25 Amendment 1. It is noted that DGAC AD 89-097(A)R1 also references this directive. Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure compliance with the specified maintenance actions. The directive mandates that the seat belt anchorage fittings, which are concealed by aircraft trim, be inspected for corrosion. The inspection must occur before 2 March 1996 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 12 calendar months. This periodic inspection is crucial because the concealed nature of the anchorage fittings makes it difficult to detect corrosion otherwise. The directive aligns with a revision from the country of origin, which reduces the inspection interval, aiming to enhance safety by ensuring that these critical components are regularly checked. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, operators and owners of the specified aircraft are obligated to adhere to the maintenance schedule outlined in AD/TB20/17 Amendment 1. This involves performing the necessary inspections and actions as detailed in the referenced service bulletin. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential grounding of the aircraft until the necessary actions are completed. Breaches of these regulations can result in significant consequences. Civil penalties can be imposed for non-compliance with the AD, including fines. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the extract, the overarching regulations provide for substantial fines and, in severe cases, criminal charges. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the breach and can include significant financial penalties, which may be commensurate with the risk posed by the non-compliance. Additionally, repeated or severe breaches can lead to more stringent enforcement actions, including potential revocation of operating certificates for the aircraft involved.