AD/TB20/36 - Propeller Governor Control

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, were enacted to regulate civil aviation in Australia, ensuring safety and efficiency. Part 39, which includes the Airworthiness Directives, addresses specific safety concerns and mandates corrective actions for particular aircraft. The directive AD/TB20/36 focuses on Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes, specifically targeting propeller governor controls identified as faulty, which could lead to propeller jamming. This directive was issued to rectify an identified safety issue, requiring the replacement of affected propeller governor controls by a specified date to maintain airworthiness and comply with international safety standards. This directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority granted by the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The policy objective is to ensure that aircraft meet the necessary safety standards and that identified faults are promptly addressed to prevent accidents and maintain public confidence in aviation safety. The directive aims to mitigate the risk of propeller jamming by mandating timely replacement of the faulty components, thereby addressing a specific safety gap in the operation of the affected aircraft models.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety and airworthiness of aircraft, with a particular focus on the Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes in Airworthiness Directive AD/TB20/36. This directive applies to TB20 aircraft with serial numbers 1899, 1904 through 1909, TB21 aircraft with serial number 1911, and all TB20 and TB21 aircraft equipped with a propeller governor control delivered by SOCATA between 22 March 1999 and 31 August 1999. The requirement set forth is to replace the affected propeller governor controls in accordance with SOCATA's mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 10-112-61 dated August 1999. The directive is enforced under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia and becomes effective on 30 December 1999, with compliance required no later than 31 January 2000. Failure to adhere to this directive may result in the jamming of the propeller governor, thereby compromising the safety of the aircraft.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Airworthiness Directive AD/TB20/36, issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Part 39 - 105), pertain specifically to Aerospatiale (Socata) TB20 (Trinidad) Series Aeroplanes, serial numbers affected by the directive. The directive mandates the replacement of the propeller governor controls in specific TB20 and TB21 aircraft models and those delivered by SOCATA within a defined date range (section 1). The requirement is to replace the faulty propeller governor controls as outlined in SOCATA’s mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB 10-112-61 dated August 1999 (section 2). This directive is in alignment with the DGAC AD 1999-386(A) and must be complied with by 31 January 2000, with the directive becoming effective from 30 December 1999 (section 3). The obligations imposed by the Act on the relevant parties include ensuring that the propeller governor controls are replaced in the specified aircraft models. The directive applies to TB20 aircraft serial numbers 1899, 1904 through 1909, TB21 aircraft serial number 1911, and any other TB20 and TB21 aircraft equipped with a propeller governor control delivered between 22 March 1999 and 31 August 1999. Compliance with the directive involves following the guidelines provided in SOCATA’s Service Bulletin No. SB 10-112-61 and ensuring that the replacement of the propeller governor controls is completed by the specified deadline. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential grounding and other regulatory actions. Breaches of the directive may result in significant consequences for the operators and owners of the affected aircraft. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, failure to comply with an Airworthiness Directive can lead to civil or criminal penalties. Specifically, operators and owners may face fines and other legal actions, as the regulations are designed to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. The maximum penalties for non-compliance with such directives are not explicitly stated in the directive itself, but generally, they can include substantial fines and potential imprisonment for serious breaches that result in endangering public safety. It is imperative for all relevant parties to adhere strictly to the requirements to avoid these severe repercussions.