AD/TBM 700/4 - Elevator and Rudder Drainage

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, was enacted to ensure the safety and operational standards of civil aviation in Australia, addressing the need for consistent and enforceable regulations within the industry. This legislative instrument was introduced to mitigate risks associated with aircraft maintenance and operational safety, ensuring that all aircraft operating within Australian airspace meet the necessary safety standards. The policy objective of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 is to protect the public and maintain high safety standards by setting out comprehensive rules and directives for the certification, operation, and maintenance of aircraft. The regulations are overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which is responsible for enforcing these standards to ensure compliance. This particular legislative instrument, AD/TBM 700/4, pertains to Aerospatiale (Socata) TBM 700 Series Aeroplanes, specifically addressing issues with elevator and rudder drainage. It mandates action in accordance with Socata TBM 700 Service Bulletin 70-028-55, referencing the French DGAC AD 93-179(B). The requirement necessitates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 6 January 1994, for certain specified model TBM 700 aircraft. The regulation was introduced in response to the determination by the DGAC that inadequate drainage exists at the central bearing of the empennage control surfaces, which could potentially compromise flight safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to Aerospatiale (Socata) TBM 700 Series Aeroplanes with certain serial numbers, namely 2 through 19, 21, 22, 24 through 34, 38, 39, 46, 49, 50, 52, 53, 57, 59 through 63, 67, 68, 70 through 78, 80, and 82 through 85. This legislation mandates that these aircraft must comply with Socata TBM 700 Service Bulletin 70-028-55, addressing issues related to elevator and rudder drainage. The requirement necessitates corrective action within 100 hours of time in service after 6 January 1994, following the determination by the DGAC that inadequate drainage exists at the central bearing of the empennage control surfaces, as referenced in DGAC AD 93-179(B). This regulation is applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The main operative section of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (part 39-105) is AD/TBM 700/4, which pertains to the elevator and rudder drainage for Aerospatiale (Socata) TBM 700 Series Aeroplanes. This specific Airworthiness Directive requires compliance with Socata TBM 700 Service Bulletin 70-028-55. The directive applies to TBM 700 aircraft with particular serial numbers, ranging from 2 to 19, excluding 20, then including 21, 22, and so on, concluding at 85. The requirement mandates that these aircraft must undergo the necessary action specified in the service bulletin within 100 hours of time in service after 6 January 1994. This action is in response to a determination by the DGAC that there is inadequate drainage at the central bearing of the empennage control surfaces, as noted in DGAC AD 93-17-9(B). The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties and entities it governs. Primarily, the directive necessitates that owners or operators of the specified TBM 700 aircraft must ensure that the aircraft meet the requirements outlined in the Socata TBM 700 Service Bulletin 70-028-55. This involves taking specific action to address the inadequate drainage issue at the central bearing of the empennage control surfaces. Compliance must be achieved within the specified timeframe of 100 hours after the directive's effective date of 6 January 1994. Additionally, the directive requires that all actions and compliance measures be documented and maintained in the aircraft's maintenance records to ensure traceability and accountability. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive may result in significant legal and financial consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose penalties for non-compliance, which may include fines and other civil penalties. In cases where non-compliance leads to safety issues or accidents, the consequences can be even more severe, potentially resulting in criminal charges. The maximum penalties for breaches of these regulations are not explicitly stated in the directive but can include substantial fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce these penalties, ensuring that the safety standards are upheld and that the risk to aviation safety is minimised.