COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Aerospatiale (Socata) TBM 700 Series Aeroplanes
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/TBM 700/21 Horizontal Stabiliser Top Skin 11/2000
Applicability: All TBM 700 aircraft, except for aircraft which have Modification No. Mod. 70-117- 55 installed.
Requirement: Visually inspect for cracks in the top skin of the horizontal stabiliser at the junction of the root rib and central spar, and take action in accordance with Socata Service Bulletin 70-081-55.
Note: DGAC AD 2000-306(A) refers.
Compliance: Aircraft with less than 900 total hours at the effective date of this Directive: Upon reaching 900 hours total time in service.
Aircraft with more than 900 total hours at the effective date of this Directive: At the next inspection for maintenance release issue after 2 November 2000.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 2 November 2000.
Background: The manufacturer received reports of fatigue cracks in the top skin of the horizontal stabiliser. Such cracking could lead to a decrease in structural strength of the stabiliser. This Directive requires an inspection and installation of reinforcement plates.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 13 September 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 4 October 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) are the primary piece of legislation governing civil aviation in Australia, with various amendments and updates being introduced over time to ensure safety and compliance with international standards. Part 39 of the CAR 1998 focuses on airworthiness, and within this section, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issues Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address specific safety concerns. The AD for the Aerospatiale (Socata) TBM 700 Series Aeroplanes, specifically AD/TBM 700/21, was enacted to address reports of fatigue cracks in the top skin of the horizontal stabiliser at the junction of the root rib and central spar. This AD, issued on 13 September 2000, mandates visual inspections and necessary actions to prevent a decrease in structural strength, ensuring the ongoing safety of the aircraft. The AD was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 4 October 2000, and its objective is to mitigate potential safety risks by requiring timely inspections and reinforcement where necessary.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended and detailed in Part 39, specifically target all Aerospatiale (Socata) TBM 700 Series aeroplanes except those with Modification No. Mod. 70-117-55 installed. This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to the aviation industry and mandates that owners or operators of the specified aircraft must comply with the requirements set forth to address identified safety concerns. The directive is a Commonwealth initiative, enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies nationally across Australia. Compliance with the directive is necessary for maintaining the airworthiness of the specified aircraft, and failure to adhere to the stipulated inspections and actions could result in safety risks. The directive specifies that inspections must be carried out for cracks at the junction of the root rib and central spar of the horizontal stabiliser, with reinforcement measures to be taken as per Socata Service Bulletin 70-081-55. The directive’s compliance schedule varies based on the aircraft’s total hours at the effective date, either upon reaching 900 total hours or at the next maintenance inspection following 2 November 2000.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, specifically address the safety standards for aircraft and aeronautical products, including the Aerospatiale (Socata) TBM 700 Series Aeroplanes. The Airworthiness Directive (AD/TBM 700/21) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) pertains to the horizontal stabiliser top skin of these aircraft (section 11/2000). This AD is issued to rectify an identified unsafe condition related to potential fatigue cracks in the horizontal stabiliser's top skin, specifically at the junction of the root rib and central spar.
The AD applies to all TBM 700 aircraft, except those that have already had Modification No. Mod. 70-117- 55 installed (section Applicability). The directive mandates a visual inspection for cracks in the specified area of the horizontal stabiliser, as outlined in Socata Service Bulletin 70-081-55 (section Requirement). For aircraft with less than 900 total hours at the effective date of the directive, the inspection must be conducted upon reaching 900 hours total time in service. For those with more than 900 total hours at the effective date, the inspection must be performed at the next inspection for maintenance release issue after 2 November 2000 (section Compliance). This directive became effective on 2 November 2000.
The obligations imposed by this AD require aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to conduct the specified visual inspection and follow the instructions provided in the Socata Service Bulletin. Failure to comply with this AD may result in non-compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which could lead to enforcement actions by CASA. The consequences of non-compliance may include penalties, as the AD is legally binding under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The specific penalties for breaches are not detailed in this AD but generally can include fines or other enforcement actions as determined by CASA.