AD/X-TS/2 - Rudder Cable Pulleys

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through the legislative instrument F2006B07609, establish critical safety standards for civil aviation operations in Australia, addressing the specific issue of rudder cable fraying in Eagle X-TS Series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument, introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aims to enhance safety by mandating specific maintenance actions for affected aircraft models. The problem identified was the premature fraying of rudder cables in certain Eagle X-TS Series aeroplanes, which posed a potential risk to flight safety. The policy objective is to mitigate these risks through regular inspections and necessary modifications, ensuring the continued airworthiness of these aircraft. The Airworthiness Directive issued under this legislation requires specific inspections and modifications to rudder cables in Eagle X-TS 150 and 150B series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 001 to 030. The directive mandates an initial inspection within five hours of service after 31 December 1999, followed by subsequent inspections at intervals not exceeding 50 hours until the modification is implemented. Additionally, the modification must be completed within 100 hours of service after 31 December 1999 or before 31 December 2000, whichever is earlier. This directive underscores the commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation by addressing and rectifying identified safety concerns proactively.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, mandate the compliance of certain Eagle X-TS Series aeroplanes, namely the X-TS 150 and 150B models with serial numbers ranging from 001 to 030, inclusive, unless they have already been modified in accordance with Eagle Service Bulletin 1076. The regulation targets the safety of these aircraft by addressing issues with rudder cable pulleys, which have been identified as a potential hazard due to instances of rudder cable fraying. The directive applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Compliance with the inspection and modification requirements outlined in the Eagle Service Bulletins is mandatory, with specific timelines for action based on the aircraft's operational hours. This directive does not extend to aircraft that have already undergone the necessary modifications, ensuring that the safety measures are applied only where they are necessary and have not already been implemented.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 and under the section titled "Schedule of Airworthiness Directives," detail the requirements for ensuring the airworthiness of certain aircraft models. In this context, AD/X-TS/2 addresses the rudder cable pulleys of Eagle X-TS Series aeroplanes, particularly the X-TS 150 and 150B models with serial numbers ranging from 001 to 030 inclusive, unless they have already been modified in line with Eagle Service Bulletin 1076 (s. 2). The directive mandates that specific actions be taken to enhance safety and ensure compliance with airworthiness standards. The operative sections of this directive require two main actions: first, an inspection of the rudder cables in the vicinity of the under-seat pulleys, as per Eagle Service Bulletin 1059 dated 21 January 1999 (s. 1). Second, a modification of the under-seat rudder cable pulley installation and a reset of the rudder cable tension, as outlined in Eagle Service Bulletin 1076 dated 26 October 1999 (s. 2). These actions are crucial for maintaining the integrity and safety of the aircraft's rudder system. Compliance with the AD/X-TS/2 directive involves adhering to specific timelines for inspections and modifications. The inspection must occur within 5 hours of time in service after 31 December 1999, unless it was performed within the 50 hours of time in service prior to 31 December 1999 (s. Compliance 1). Subsequent inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 50 hours until the modification is completed in accordance with Requirement 2. The modification, on the other hand, must be carried out within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1999, or before 31 December 2000, whichever comes first (s. Compliance 2). Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive can lead to severe consequences. The directive explicitly states that it becomes effective on 24 December 1999, and non-compliance could potentially result in safety hazards due to the identified issues with rudder cable fraying. The potential penalties or consequences for not adhering to the specified requirements are not detailed in this particular directive but generally, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to civil or criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, including fines and potential imprisonment.