AD/TB20/23 - Console Attachment

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, are integral to ensuring safety and compliance within the aviation industry. This legislation is instrumental in establishing regulations that govern all aspects of civil aviation operations, including aircraft maintenance and airworthiness directives. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations addresses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives. One such directive, AD/TB20/23, pertains to the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes, specifically addressing issues related to the console attachment. This directive was introduced to address reported cracks in the nose gear mount lower attachments of these aircraft models, aiming to ensure their continued airworthiness and safety. The requirement outlined in the directive mandates compliance within specific timeframes to rectify the issue, reflecting the policy objective of maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, establish Airworthiness Directives that govern the maintenance and operational standards for aircraft registered in Australia. This particular directive, AD/TB20/23, applies to Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series aeroplanes with model numbers TB20 and TB21, and serial numbers ranging from 1 through 1286. The directive mandates that corrective actions must be taken in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in DGAC AD 91-160 (A). The directive requires compliance within 50 hours of time in service following 31 October 1991, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service, until the installation of Kit No. 9172 is completed. This directive is imperative for ensuring the continued airworthiness and safety of the specified aircraft, addressing a known issue of cracks reported at the nose gear mount lower attachments on frame No. 0. The directive underscores the necessity for adherence to prescribed maintenance schedules and technical standards to mitigate safety risks associated with the identified structural concerns.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes AD/TB20/23 concerning Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes. This directive mandates that for model TB20 and TB21 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 1286, an action must be taken to comply with the technical requirements outlined in DGAC AD 91-160 (A). The directive is applicable to ensure safety, referencing SOCATA TB aircraft SB 49. The specific requirement is to address the issue within 50 hours of time in service after 31 October 1991, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service, until the installation of Kit No. 9172 is completed. This action is prompted by reported cracks on frame No. 0 at the nose gear mount lower attachments. The obligations imposed by this directive on the relevant parties include ensuring that the specified action is taken within the stipulated timeframes to address the identified safety issue. Operators of Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes must monitor the aircraft's time in service and perform the necessary compliance actions. This involves inspecting the nose gear mount lower attachments for cracks and implementing the corrective measures as per the DGAC AD 91-160 (A) and SB 49. Operators must maintain accurate records of the inspections and any corrective actions taken, ensuring that these records are readily available for CASA inspection if required. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/TB20/23 may result in various consequences. Civil aviation regulations are stringent, and non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions by CASA. Operators who do not adhere to the directive may face penalties, which could include fines or other administrative actions. In more severe cases, CASA might suspend or revoke the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, which could lead to grounding the aircraft until the required compliance is achieved. Additionally, pilots who operate non-compliant aircraft risk facing legal repercussions, which could affect their professional licenses and career prospects.