AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/UNIVAIR/1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 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.
Univair Corporation Ercoupe, Forney, Alon, and Mooney M10 Series Aeroplanes
AD/UNIVAIR/1
Amdt 1
Wing Outer Panel Internal Structural Components
13/2003
Applicability: All Models Alon A-2 and A2-A, ERCO 415-C, 415-CD, 415-D, 415-E, and 415G, Forney F-1, and F-1A, and Mooney M10 aircraft.
Requirement: 1. Install inspection openings in the outer wing panels, and inspect the wing outer panel internal structural components for corrosion and un-repaired corrosion damage in accordance with Univair Service Bulletin (SB) 29 Revision B, dated 2 January 1995, or SB 29 Revision C, dated 8 July 1999.
2. Repetitively inspect the wing outer panel internal structural components for corrosion and un-repaired corrosion damage in accordance with SB 29 Revision B, or SB 29 Revision C.
Before further flight, repair or replace any corroded wing outer panel internal structural component found during a required inspection, in accordance with the instructions contained in SB 29 Revision B or SB 29 Revision C.
Note: FAA AD 2003-21-01 Amdt 39-13335 refers.
Compliance: 1. Unless already accomplished, before 24 March 1996.
2. Initially, before 25 June 2004; unless the wing outer panel internal structure has been inspected for corrosion within the previous 6 calendar months immediately prior to the effective date of this Directive. Inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 calendar months.
The compliance time remains unchanged for Requirement 1. This Amendment becomes effective on 25 December 2003.
Background: The FAA received reports of significant corrosion in the outer wing panels of the affected aircraft, which are of the same type design.
Univair Corporation Ercoupe, Forney, Alon, and Mooney M10 Series Aeroplanes
AD/UNIVAIR/1 Amdt 1 (continued)
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a new FAA AD, which was prompted by additional reports of corrosion on aircraft in compliance with AD 94-18-04 R1. This Directive introduces repetitive inspections.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 24 March 1996.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 12 November 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 3 December 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Act 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, establishes the legal framework for ensuring the safety of civil aviation within Australia. This Act empowers the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue regulations and directives to maintain airworthiness standards and address safety concerns. One such directive is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/UNIVAIR/1 Amdt 1, issued on 12 November 2003, which responds to reports of significant corrosion in the outer wing panels of Univair Corporation Ercoupe, Forney, Alon, and Mooney M10 Series Aeroplanes. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate inspections and necessary repairs to prevent unsafe conditions due to corrosion, thereby enhancing the safety of the affected aircraft. This directive was issued to address a gap identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, which had also reported similar corrosion issues in the same type of aircraft, prompting a coordinated safety response to mitigate risks associated with these findings.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under F2006B07538 applies specifically to certain models of Univair Corporation Ercoupe, Forney, Alon, and Mooney M10 aircraft, including Alon A-2 and A2-A, ERCO 415-C, 415-CD, 415-D, 415-E, and 415-G, Forney F-1, and F-1A, and Mooney M10 aircraft. The directive mandates the installation of inspection openings in the outer wing panels and requires repetitive inspections for corrosion and un-repaired corrosion damage in these components. These actions are necessary to address the unsafe conditions identified in the outer wing panels of these aircraft. The directive is applicable nationally, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as the regulatory body. The AD was issued in response to significant corrosion issues reported in the same type design aircraft, and it mandates that corrective actions be taken before further flights. Compliance with the AD is mandatory for the specified aircraft models, with initial inspections required before 25 June 2004, unless the wing outer panel internal structure has been inspected for corrosion within the previous six calendar months prior to the effective date of this Directive. Subsequent inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 12 calendar months.
Key Provisions
The main sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) are the applicability, requirement, and compliance sections. The applicability section (4) specifies that this AD applies to all models of Alon A-2 and A2-A, ERCO 415-C, 415-CD, 415-D, 415-E, and 415-G, Forney F-1, and F-1A, and Mooney M10 aircraft. The requirement section (5) mandates the installation of inspection openings in the outer wing panels and the inspection of the wing outer panel internal structural components for corrosion and un-repaired corrosion damage in accordance with specified service bulletins. This inspection must be carried out before further flight, with any corroded components repaired or replaced as directed. The compliance section (6) sets specific deadlines for compliance: inspections must be completed before 24 March 1996 unless already done, and initial inspections must occur before 25 June 2004 unless a recent inspection has already been completed. After the initial inspection, further inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 12 calendar months.
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Firstly, operators of the specified aircraft models must ensure that inspection openings are installed in the outer wing panels. Secondly, they are required to inspect the internal structural components of the wing outer panels for corrosion and un-repaired corrosion damage. This inspection must adhere to the instructions provided in Univair Service Bulletins 29 Revision B or Revision C. Additionally, any identified corrosion or un-repaired damage must be addressed through repair or replacement before the aircraft can be flown again. Lastly, repetitive inspections must be scheduled at intervals not exceeding 12 calendar months following the initial inspection.
Breach of this AD could lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement action against non-compliance. Potential penalties may include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory sanctions. The exact penalties would be determined by CASA in the context of the specific breach and the circumstances surrounding it. It is important for operators to adhere to the requirements set out in the AD to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft.