AD/TSA-600/15 - Outboard Aileron Hinge Bolt Installation - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, address the safety concerns associated with the Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 Series Aeroplanes. This piece of legislation was enacted to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft models, particularly focusing on the outboard aileron hinge bolt installation. This directive, AD/TSA-600/15, is part of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) ongoing commitment to maintaining stringent safety standards in civil aviation. The regulation aims to ensure compliance with safety directives by mandating an inspection and, if necessary, modification of the outboard aileron hinge bolt installation within 100 hours of time in service after 30 June 1978. This directive is instrumental in preventing potential safety issues that could arise from the failure of these critical components, thereby safeguarding the operational integrity of the specified aircraft models. The Australian Government, through the Parliament, established these regulations to fill the gap in ensuring comprehensive safety measures are in place for civil aviation. By incorporating these specific directives, CASA aims to mitigate risks associated with identified safety issues, thereby enhancing the overall safety of air travel. The policy objective behind these regulations is to protect public safety and ensure that all civil aircraft meet the highest safety standards, as evidenced by the detailed inspection and modification requirements outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 Series Aeroplanes, affecting all models up to and including Airframe Sequence No. 0499. This legislation mandates that these aircraft undergo an inspection and possible modification of the outboard aileron hinge bolt installation, as detailed in Piper Aerostar Service Bulletin No. SB600-73. Compliance is required within 100 hours of time in service following 30 June 1978. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority oversees the implementation of this directive, ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the specified safety standards to maintain airworthiness. This regulation has a broad reach, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia, and ensures the safety of these aircraft within the national airspace. The regulations do not specify exclusions or exemptions, meaning that all applicable aircraft must adhere to the directive without exception.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/TSA-600/15, mandate that all Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 series aeroplanes, up to and including Airframe Sequence No. 0499, must undergo inspection and modification of the outboard aileron hinge bolt installation. This directive is applicable to aircraft that have been in service for more than 100 hours since 30 June 1978 (Section 1). Compliance with this directive is required to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft, and it is supported by Piper Aerostar Service Bulletin No. SB600-73 (Section 2). The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties or entities it governs include conducting a thorough inspection of the outboard aileron hinge bolt installation to ensure there are no defects or issues. If any defects are identified, the directive requires that the bolts be replaced or modified as specified in the Piper Aerostar Service Bulletin No. SB600-73 (Section 3). The operators or owners of the aircraft must ensure that these inspections and modifications are carried out by appropriately qualified personnel and that all work is logged and documented to maintain a record of compliance (Section 4). Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/TSA-600/15 may result in serious safety implications and legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to take enforcement actions against operators or owners who fail to comply with airworthiness directives. Potential penalties for non-compliance could include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to an aviation incident or accident (Section 5). The maximum penalties for such offences can vary, but they may include substantial financial penalties and imprisonment, depending on the severity and circumstances of the breach (Section 6).