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-600/44 Flap Actuator Attachment Brackets 10/95
Applicability: All models.
Requirement: Gain access to the flap actuator attachment bracket (attached to the 55% chord spar).
Thoroughly clean the attachments to allow a close visual inspection. On models without inspection panels this may require removal of the fibreglass fairing.
Inspect with the aid of a 10x magnifying glass, or a torch and mirror, the flap actuator attachment bracket (P/N 200066-1 (LH) & -2 (RH)) for cracks and loose rivets. Pay particular attention to the lower attachment rivets on the flap actuator attachment brackets.
Compliance: Inspect before 100 hours time in service or within 12 months, after 14 November 1995 whichever occurs first.
Background: There have been several reports of cracked flap actuator attachment brackets in Australia and overseas. Failure of the flap actuator attachment bracket may result in a split flap condition. It is intended that the inspection will be performed at the next 100 hourly or annual inspection whichever occurs first.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. Among the various amendments and directives, Part 39 - 105 addresses Airworthiness Directives specifically targeting aircraft models to mitigate safety risks. One such directive, AD/TSA-600/44, pertains to Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the flap actuator attachment brackets. This directive was introduced to address the problem of cracked flap actuator attachment brackets that have been reported both in Australia and overseas, which could potentially lead to a split flap condition. The policy objective is to ensure regular and thorough inspections to maintain the structural integrity and safety of these aircraft, thereby preventing in-flight failures and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically pertain to the safety standards and operational protocols of aviation activities within the country. One pertinent regulation, AD/TSA-600/44, applies to all models of Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 Series Aeroplanes, demanding meticulous inspection and maintenance of the flap actuator attachment brackets. The requirement involves gaining access to these brackets, ensuring they are thoroughly cleaned to facilitate a close visual inspection. For models without inspection panels, removal of the fibreglass fairing may be necessary. The inspection must be conducted with the aid of a 10x magnifying glass or a torch and mirror, with a particular focus on identifying cracks and loose rivets, especially the lower attachment rivets on the flap actuator attachment brackets. Compliance necessitates these inspections to be completed before the aeroplane reaches 100 hours of time in service or within 12 months from 14 November 1995, whichever comes first. This directive is a response to multiple reports of cracked flap actuator attachment brackets in Australia and overseas, which could potentially lead to a split flap condition, thereby ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, include specific airworthiness directives for various aircraft models, including Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 series aeroplanes. The directive AD/TSA-600/44 pertains to the flap actuator attachment brackets on these models, requiring thorough inspections to ensure safety and airworthiness. According to the directive (Section 1), the flap actuator attachment bracket, which is connected to the 55% chord spar, must be accessed and cleaned to facilitate a close visual inspection. For models without inspection panels, the fibreglass fairing may need to be removed.
These inspections must be carried out with the aid of a 10x magnifying glass or a torch and mirror, focusing particularly on the lower attachment rivets of the flap actuator attachment brackets (P/N 200066-1 for the left-hand side and P/N 200066-2 for the right-hand side) for any signs of cracks or loose rivets (Section 2). Compliance with this directive mandates that the inspection be conducted before the aircraft reaches 100 hours of time in service or within 12 months after 14 November 1995, whichever comes first (Section 3). This is to address multiple reports of cracked flap actuator attachment brackets both in Australia and internationally, which could potentially lead to a split flap condition if not identified and rectified.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators of Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 series aeroplanes must ensure that the flap actuator attachment brackets are inspected thoroughly as per the outlined procedure. This involves accessing and cleaning the brackets, using appropriate tools for inspection, and paying particular attention to the lower rivets. Operators must adhere to the compliance schedule, ensuring inspections are completed before the specified timeframes.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive AD/TSA-600/44 may result in significant consequences. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state penalties in this directive, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include fines, grounding of the aircraft, or other regulatory penalties. Ensuring compliance is not only a regulatory requirement but also crucial for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.