Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of civil aviation within Australia. One significant legislative instrument under this act is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The AD/WHE/6 specifically addresses the safety concern of tread separations in Goodyear Flight Eagle tyres, 34x9.25-16 18PR 210MPH, part number 348F83-2, installed on Gulfstream Model GII, GIIB, GIII, and GIV aircraft. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of tyre failure, which could lead to structural damage to the aircraft and potentially catastrophic outcomes. The directive mandates the inspection and replacement of affected tyres within a specified timeframe to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft in question. The objective is to maintain the highest safety standards in Australian civil aviation, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the public.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Goodyear Flight Eagle tyres, part number 348F83-2, installed on Gulfstream Model GII, GIIB, GIII, and GIV aircraft. This AD mandates the inspection of these tyres to identify any within a specified serial number range (0168xxxx through 0185xxxx) and their replacement before further flight if found within this range. This directive is aimed at addressing the issue of tyre tread separation, which has been reported to cause structural damage to the aircraft. The AD was issued to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft models and becomes effective from 3 October 2001. Compliance with the AD is required within 10 hours of service time after this date, unless the required action has already been completed. The AD’s reach is nationwide, as it is issued under the Commonwealth of Australia’s Civil Aviation Regulations.

Key Provisions

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) specifically targets Goodyear Flight Eagle tyres installed on certain Gulfstream aircraft models (section 39.1). The AD mandates that all Goodyear Flight Eagle tyres, model 34x9.25-16 18PR 210MPH, part number 348F83-2, be inspected to determine if they fall within the serial number range of 0168xxxx through 0185xxxx. If any tyres are found within this serial number range, they must be replaced before further flight, in accordance with Goodyear Service Bulletin GY SB 2001-32-006 dated 28 July 2001. The directive requires compliance within 10 hours of time in service after the AD's effective date of 3 October 2001, unless the inspection and replacement have already been completed. The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties governed by it. Primarily, it requires that the specified tyres on the affected Gulfstream models (GII, GIIB, GIII, and GIV) be inspected and, if necessary, replaced. This inspection must be conducted meticulously, following the guidelines outlined in the referenced Goodyear Service Bulletin. Additionally, the compliance must be achieved within the stipulated timeframe, which is 10 hours of flight time after the AD's effective date, unless the action has already been taken. These obligations are critical to ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft. The AD does not explicitly detail specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance in the text provided. However, under the general framework of CAR 1998, non-compliance with an AD can lead to severe repercussions. This may include potential civil penalties for the operators and manufacturers, as well as criminal charges if the non-compliance results in harm or endangers safety. The exact penalties would depend on the specific circumstances of the non-compliance and any relevant aviation regulations or subsequent amendments to the CAR 1998.