AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

 

Applicability:

Type certificated Avtech (Jabiru Aircraft) models UL-C, UL-D, J160-C, LSA 55/2K, LSA 55/2J, Jabiru ST, LSA 55/3J and Jabiru ST3 - all serial numbers.

Requirement:

1. Inspect the aileron control tube in accordance with the requirements of Jabiru Service Bulletin (JSB) JSB 042-1, as in force from time to time.

2. Report the results of the inspection to CASA via the Defect Report System.

3. If any cracking is found to the aileron control tube during the inspection, corrective action must be taken in accordance with JSB 042-1.

Note 1:  The referenced service bulletin is applicable to ALL Jabiru aircraft models. Some of these models are light sport aircraft and are not subject to this Airworthiness Directive but are subject to a Manufacturer’s Safety Direction. Consequently, only type certificated models are included in the applicability section of this AD.

Note 2:  The words “as in force from time to time” require compliance with the most recent version of the referenced document.

Compliance:

No later than 4,000 hours’ total time in service:

1. a. Before further flight after the commencement date of this Airworthiness Directive, and thereafter,

 b. At each 100 hourly or Annual Inspection whichever occurs first.

2. Each time the inspection is performed.

3 Before any further flight.

 

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 21 March 2021.

Background:

Jabiru Service Bulletin JSB 042-1 was released on 16 May 2019 to address a fracture failure of an aileron control tube that occurred during the landing roll of a Jabiru 160C training aircraft that was being flown by a student pilot.

The Service Bulletin referenced in this Airworthiness Directive requires an inspection of the aileron control torque tube where it connects to the control stick pivot plate for cracking at each of four quadrants. Analysis of the failed part showed that one quadrant had been cracked through for some time before complete failure occurred.

A complete failure of an aileron torque tube may result in loss of the pilot’s primary lateral and pitch controls.

David Charles Punshon
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

10 February 2021