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/43
Amdt 1
Applicability: All models.
Flapperon Operating Lever and Lever Attach Box Section - Inspection
4/85
Requirement: Remove the flapperon operating lever assembly and inspect the lever attach box sections and the operating levers for evidence of corrosion and cracking.
Note: Alternatively, inspection may be achieved without dissasembly by the provision of inspection holes to a scheme approved by the Secretary.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, within 100 hours time in service after 30 April 1984, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 3 years.
Background: Reports have been received of evidence of corrosion and cracking in the lever and box section which has resulted from moisture entrapment. Failure to detect this defect could result in the eventual loss of control surface input movement. This AD is amended to remove the operating lever assembly part number as all assembly part numbers are affected.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Civil Aviation (Public Aircraft) Amendment (Airworthiness) Instrument 2006, introduced a legislative instrument aimed at addressing the safety issues related to Victa and A.E.S.L. Airtourer Series Aeroplanes. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this amendment specifically targets the problem of corrosion and cracking in the flapperon operating lever and its attach box sections, which can lead to loss of control surface input movement. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring that these components are regularly inspected for defects that could compromise the integrity and functionality of the aircraft. The regulation mandates inspections within specific time intervals to mitigate the risks associated with these potential failures.
The Australian Parliament enacted this regulation to ensure compliance with international safety standards and to maintain the high level of safety expected in civil aviation. By requiring the removal and inspection of the flapperon operating lever assembly, or alternatively allowing inspections through approved inspection holes, the legislation aims to prevent in-flight failures and enhance overall flight safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, apply to all models of Victa and A.E.S.L. Airtourer Series aeroplanes. This legislation mandates that operators of these aircraft must inspect the flapperon operating lever and its attach box sections for evidence of corrosion and cracking. The requirement is triggered within 100 hours of time in service following 30 April 1984, and must be repeated at intervals not exceeding three years. The regulation allows for an alternative method of inspection without disassembly, provided that inspection holes conform to a scheme approved by the Secretary. Failure to comply with these directives could potentially lead to a loss of control surface input movement due to undetected defects, highlighting the critical nature of adherence to these safety standards. This legislative instrument extends its application nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all relevant aircraft operators within the country adhere to the stipulated safety requirements.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for various aircraft types. One such directive is AD/VAT/43 Amendment 1, which pertains to Victa and A.E.S.L. Airtourer Series Aeroplanes. This directive mandates the inspection of the flapperon operating lever and its attach box sections (section 4/85). Operators must remove the flapperon operating lever assembly and examine the lever attach box sections and operating levers for signs of corrosion and cracking. Alternatively, inspections can be conducted without disassembly, provided that inspection holes are created according to a scheme approved by the Secretary.
Under this AD, operators are obligated to conduct the specified inspection within 100 hours of time in service after 30 April 1984 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding three years. This requirement is essential to prevent the accumulation of moisture, which can lead to corrosion and cracking. Such structural integrity issues, if left undetected, could result in the loss of control surface input movement, thereby compromising the safety of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can have significant repercussions. The AD stipulates that non-compliance with the inspection requirements could lead to violations of the Civil Aviation Regulations. Such violations may result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties could include fines, while criminal penalties might include imprisonment, depending on the severity of the non-compliance and any resultant safety hazards. The specific maximum penalties are not detailed within the AD but would be subject to the broader provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and other relevant legislation.
Overall, AD/VAT/43 Amendment 1 is a crucial safety measure designed to prevent potential in-flight failures by ensuring regular and thorough inspections of the flapperon operating lever and its attach box sections. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for all operators of Victa and A.E.S.L. Airtourer Series Aeroplanes to ensure continued airworthiness and safety in Australian airspace.