AD/TB20/32 Amdt 1 - MLG Hinged Strut Attachment Bearings

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, provide comprehensive regulations governing the safety and operational standards of civil aviation in the country. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives outlines the requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of various aircraft types, including the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes. This legislation addresses the need for consistent safety standards and the prevention of mechanical failures in aircraft through regular inspections and maintenance directives. One such directive, AD/TB20/32 Amendment 1, was introduced to ensure the integrity of the hinged strut attachment bearings in the TB20 and TB21 models, in response to a revision of the related DGAC AD, which itself was updated to align with the latest safety standards and recommendations. The objective is to maintain the highest safety standards and prevent potential mechanical failures that could compromise flight safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes, particularly models TB20 and TB21 with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 9999. The Act mandates that these aircraft must adhere to the requirements set forth in the SOCATA Service Bulletin TB aircraft 10-080-57 Revision 3, which pertains to the maintenance and replacement of MLG Hinged Strut Attachment Bearings. The requirement is based on the aircraft’s landing count or operational hours, necessitating inspections and actions at specific intervals to ensure compliance with airworthiness standards. This directive was originally effective from 29 February 1996, with an amendment introduced on 20 May 1999 to align with the updated DGAC AD 94-266(A)R3. The geographic reach of these regulations is nationwide, encompassing all aircraft falling under the specified categories within the Australian jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives pertaining to the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/TB20/32 Amendment 1, addresses the maintenance and inspection of the MLG (Main Landing Gear) hinged strut attachment bearings (section 5/99). This directive applies to models TB20 and TB21 with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 9999. It mandates that actions be taken in line with SOCATA Service Bulletin TB aircraft 10-080-57 Revision 3 and references DGAC Airworthiness Directive 94-266(A)R3. This directive imposes several obligations on the parties involved, including aircraft operators, maintenance personnel, and other stakeholders. It requires specific maintenance and inspection protocols for the MLG hinged strut attachment bearings. For bearings that have reached or exceeded 6000 landings or 4000 hours of time in service, inspections must be conducted at the next inspection for a Maintenance Release issue or within 100 hours of time in service after 29 February 1996, whichever is earlier. Subsequent inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 1500 landings or 1000 hours of time in service, whichever comes first. For bearings with less than 5999 landings or 3999 hours of time in service, inspections must take place before reaching the 6000 landing or 4000-hour threshold and then at the same intervals mentioned above. Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in this Airworthiness Directive may result in civil or criminal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the directive, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include fines, enforcement notices, and other regulatory measures. The severity of the penalties depends on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but they can be significant, potentially affecting the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft involved.