COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 Series Aeroplanes
AD/TSA-600/22 Cabin Door Upper Section - Modification 11/79
Applicability: All model 600 with S/Nos. 60-0001 to 60-0056; and All model 601 with S/Nos. 61-
0001 to 61-0070.
Requirement: Install in the cabin door upper section latching mechanism, spacers and the locking position visual indicators in accordance with Aerostar SB No. 600-35.
Note: FAA AD 79-18-10, Amdt. 39-3535 refers.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, within 100 hours time in service after 30 November 1979.
Background: This Directive adds the modification action of Aerostar SB 600-35 to prevent inflight loss of the cabin upper door section.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, were enacted to regulate civil aviation safety in Australia and ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. Part 39, specifically, focuses on Airworthiness Directives (ADs), which are legally enforceable rules that apply to specific aircraft or parts to address safety concerns. AD/TSA-600/22, issued in 1979, targets the Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 Series aeroplanes to address the issue of inflight loss of the cabin upper door section. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, acting under the authority of the Australian Parliament, mandates these directives to maintain a high standard of safety in civil aviation, ensuring that any identified risks are mitigated effectively.
The policy objective of AD/TSA-600/22 is to enhance the structural integrity of the cabin door upper section latching mechanism in the specified Aerostar aeroplanes to prevent the occurrence of inflight door loss, thereby safeguarding the safety of passengers and crew. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, requiring the installation of spacers and visual indicators as specified in Aerostar Service Bulletin 600-35, to be completed within 100 hours of the aircraft being in service after 30 November 1979. This directive aligns with international safety standards, particularly referencing the Federal Aviation Administration’s AD 79-18-10, Amendment 39-3535, to ensure consistency and effectiveness in safety measures across jurisdictions.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, mandates airworthiness directives for certain aircraft types to ensure compliance with safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. One such directive, AD/TSA-600/22, applies to Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 Series Aeroplanes, specifically those within the serial number ranges of 60-0001 to 60-0056 for model 600 and 61-0001 to 61-0070 for model 601. This legislative instrument requires the installation of spacers and visual indicators in the cabin door upper section latching mechanism in accordance with Aerostar Service Bulletin No. 600-35, aiming to prevent inflight loss of the cabin door upper section. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1979, unless already accomplished. This regulation extends to the Commonwealth of Australia and is applicable to all relevant aircraft within the specified serial numbers, with no stated exclusions or exemptions in the provided text.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the requirements for airworthiness directives (ADs) and schedules them in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule. In this context, AD/TSA-600/22 pertains to the Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 series aeroplanes, focusing on the cabin door upper section modification (section 11/79). This particular directive applies to all model 600 aeroplanes with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 60-0001 to 60-0056, and all model 601 aeroplanes with S/Nos. from 61-0001 to 61-0070. The primary requirement of this AD is the installation of spacers and locking position visual indicators in the cabin door upper section latching mechanism, in accordance with Aerostar Service Bulletin (SB) No. 600-35. This installation is intended to prevent the inflight loss of the cabin upper door section. The directive references FAA AD 79-18-10, Amendment 39-3535 for additional guidance.
Compliance with AD/TSA-600/22 is mandatory for the specified aircraft models and serial numbers. Operators must ensure that the modifications outlined in Aerostar SB 600-35 are carried out unless they have already been accomplished. The compliance deadline is within 100 hours of time in service following 30 November 1979. This timeframe ensures that the modifications are implemented promptly to mitigate safety risks associated with the inflight loss of the cabin upper door section.
The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and specific. Aircraft operators and maintenance personnel must adhere to the detailed instructions provided in Aerostar SB 600-35, ensuring the proper installation of the required spacers and visual indicators. This involves thorough checks and verifications to ensure that all modifications are completed to the specified standards. The directive underscores the importance of maintaining airworthiness and ensuring the safety of the aircraft and its occupants by addressing potential hazards associated with the cabin door latching mechanism.
Failure to comply with AD/TSA-600/22 may result in significant legal and safety consequences. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance in this context, the broader regulatory framework may impose penalties. Non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions, fines, and potentially more severe outcomes if the failure to comply results in an aviation incident or accident. The safety of passengers and crew is paramount, and adherence to ADs is crucial to prevent such incidents.