COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Victa and A.E.S.L. Airtourer Series Aeroplanes
AD/VAT/10
Amdt 6
Landing Gear Attachment Bolts - Replacement 11/74
Applicability: Airtourer 100, 115 and 150 series. Airtourer T6 Series.
Requirement: 1. For Airtourer 100, 115 and 150 series aeroplanes replace special bolts as per Aerospace SB No. 031.
2. For Airtourer T6 series aeroplanes replace special bolts as per Aerospace SB No. 032.
3. Alternatively, replace time expired special bolts in Paras. 1 and 2 with AN steel bolts of equivalent length and diameter.
Compliance: For Paras. 1 and 2 - At intervals not exceeding 350 hours time in service.
For Para. 3 - At intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B07543, introduce specific Airworthiness Directives aimed at enhancing the safety of Victa and A.E.S.L. Airtourer Series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Australian Government, this regulation targets the critical issue of ensuring the structural integrity of landing gear attachment bolts in Airtourer series aeroplanes. The problem addressed by this legislation is the potential failure of these critical bolts, which could lead to catastrophic failures during flight, thereby endangering passengers and crew. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate the replacement of specified bolts to prevent such failures and maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation.
This directive, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, requires the replacement of special bolts in the Airtourer 100, 115, 150, and T6 series aeroplanes, either according to specified Aerospace Service Bulletins or with equivalent AN steel bolts. The compliance intervals ensure that these safety measures are rigorously adhered to, with specific time intervals for replacement to maintain airworthiness. This legislative measure underscores the commitment of the Australian Government to stringent safety protocols in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Landing Gear Attachment Bolts Replacement Airworthiness Directive (AD), specifically AD/VAT/10 Amendment 6, applies to Victa and A.E.S.L. Airtourer Series Aeroplanes, including models Airtourer 100, 115, 150, and T6. The directive mandates the replacement of special bolts in the landing gear attachment to ensure continued airworthiness and safety. This requirement applies to any entity operating these aeroplanes within Australian airspace, overseen by CASA. The directive is applicable to all aeroplanes within the specified series regardless of the operator's size or the industry they belong to. CASA enforces compliance at specified intervals: for the Airtourer 100, 115, and 150 series, bolt replacements must occur at intervals not exceeding 350 hours of time in service, while for the Airtourer T6 series, replacements must occur at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. Alternatively, time-expired special bolts can be replaced with AN steel bolts of equivalent length and diameter. The AD does not specify any exclusions or exemptions and is enforced uniformly across the Commonwealth of Australia. Subordinate instruments may extend or clarify the application of these directives as necessary.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, section 105, contains the Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for the Victa and A.E.S.L. Airtourer Series Aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the landing gear attachment bolts. The directive, AD/VAT/10Amdt 6, mandates the replacement of these critical bolts to ensure continued safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. This directive applies to Airtourer 100, 115, and 150 series aeroplanes, as well as Airtourer T6 series aeroplanes (Section 11/74).
The key requirements outlined in this directive are straightforward yet critical for maintaining the structural integrity of the aircraft. For Airtourer 100, 115, and 150 series aeroplanes, special bolts must be replaced according to Aerospace SB No. 031 (Section 1). Similarly, for Airtourer T6 series aeroplanes, special bolts are to be replaced as per Aerospace SB No. 032 (Section 2). Alternatively, if the specified special bolts are no longer available, AN steel bolts of equivalent length and diameter may be used (Section 3). This flexibility ensures that operators can still comply with safety standards even if the exact specified bolts are not obtainable.
Compliance with these requirements is crucial and must be strictly adhered to. For the Airtourer 100, 115, and 150 series aeroplanes, the replacement of the special bolts must occur at intervals not exceeding 350 hours of time in service (Section 1). For the Airtourer T6 series aeroplanes, the same interval applies (Section 2). However, if using the alternative AN steel bolts, the replacement must occur at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service (Section 3). These intervals are designed to ensure the continuous airworthiness and safety of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with these Airworthiness Directives can have serious legal and safety repercussions. CASA has the authority to enforce these regulations, and non-compliance could result in the grounding of the aircraft, fines, or other penalties as stipulated by the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Additionally, operators who fail to adhere to these directives may face criminal charges if their negligence leads to accidents or incidents. The penalties for such breaches can be significant, both in terms of financial penalties and potential harm to public safety. Therefore, it is imperative that all operators and maintenance personnel fully understand and implement these directives to avoid any adverse consequences.