AD/WHE/5 - Michelin Aircraft Tyres

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, serve as a cornerstone of the nation's aviation safety framework, aiming to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations. This legislation provides the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) with the authority to issue airworthiness directives, including AD/WHE/5 concerning Michelin Aircraft Tyres. This directive was introduced to address a specific safety concern involving the separation of rubber compounds in certain Michelin tyres used on Cessna aircraft, which could lead to tyre failure during operations. The policy objective behind this directive is to mitigate potential risks to flight safety by mandating the removal and replacement of affected tyres to prevent any incidents that could result from tyre failure. The Michelin Aircraft Tyres directive, AD/WHE/5, specifies the removal of certain tyres from service to address issues of adhesion failure in the crown region of the tyre. This requirement applies to tyres installed on Cessna Model 650 aircraft with specific serial numbers, necessitating compliance prior to further flights after 30 November 1995. This directive reflects CASA's commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation by proactively addressing potential hazards identified in specific aircraft components.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, specifically addresses the airworthiness of aircraft tyres through the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. AD/WHE/5 pertains to Michelin Aircraft Tyres, particularly the Michelin Tyre Part Number 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR) installed on Cessna Model 650 aircraft. This directive requires the removal from service of specific tyres identified by their serial numbers, owing to reports of tyre failures during operations on Cessna Citation VII aircraft. The failures were due to separations in the crown region of the tyre, caused by low adhesion from misplaced rubber compound. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with a compliance date set prior to further flight after 30 November 1995. This directive applies nationally, extending its reach across all jurisdictions within Australia, thereby ensuring a uniform approach to addressing the safety concerns associated with these specific tyres. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this directive, and any further detail or extension of its application would be provided through subordinate instruments or additional notices issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, includes an airworthiness directive (AD) concerning Michelin Aircraft Tyres (section 1). AD/WHE/5 pertains to Michelin Tyre Part Number 028-520-1 (22x5.75-12/10PR), which is installed on Cessna Model 650 aircraft. The directive requires the removal from service of specific tyres listed by their serial numbers (section 2). These serial numbers include, but are not limited to, 4279N00339 through 4291N00621. Operators and owners of Cessna Model 650 aircraft equipped with the specified Michelin tyres must comply with the directive by removing the affected tyres from service. This requirement must be met before any further flight after 30 November 1995 (section 3). The directive was issued following reports of tyre failures, specifically two instances of main landing gear tyre rupture during operations on Cessna Citation VII aircraft. The failures were attributed to separations in the tyre's crown region, which resulted from low adhesion due to misplaced rubber compound. Failure to comply with this airworthiness directive can result in serious safety risks. Operators found to be in breach of the directive may face civil penalties, including fines. Additionally, continued operation of the aircraft with non-compliant tyres can lead to criminal charges. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the text, but they can include significant fines and potential imprisonment for individuals responsible for the oversight of the aircraft's maintenance and compliance with airworthiness directives.