AD/DH 104/10 Amdt 1 - Mainplane Upper and Lower Spar Booms - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B08854, address the need for specific safety measures concerning the maintenance and inspection of the upper and lower spar booms of Dove Series aeroplanes (DH 104). Enacted by the Australian Government to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft, this regulation was introduced to mitigate risks associated with structural integrity, particularly corrosion, which could compromise flight safety. The regulation specifies inspection intervals and repair requirements for these critical components, with a focus on ensuring timely detection and remediation of corrosion, thereby upholding the highest safety standards in civil aviation. The policy objective is to maintain and enhance the safety of air travel by enforcing rigorous and regular inspections and maintenance procedures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued a specific airworthiness directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, targeting all models of the DH 104 (Dove) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to both individuals and entities operating these aircraft, ensuring adherence to stringent safety standards through mandatory inspections and reporting procedures. The AD mandates that the wing upper and lower spar booms must be inspected for signs of corrosion, with necessary repairs to be carried out as per Hawker Siddeley Aviation Technical News Sheet CT(104) No. 125 Issue 6. Any instances of corrosion detected must be reported to the Secretary. The inspection intervals are set to ensure ongoing airworthiness: inspections between ribs 5 and 7 must occur within 6 months of the previous inspection and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 6 months, while inspections inboard of rib 5 and outboard of rib 7 must occur within 12 months of the previous inspection and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 12 months. This regulation applies nationally across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniformity in aviation safety standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39, contains airworthiness directives for various aircraft models, including the DH 104 (Dove) Series Aeroplanes. The directive AD/DH 104/10 Amendment 1 outlines the inspection requirements for the mainplane upper and lower spar booms. Under section 2/73, the primary requirement is to inspect these spar booms for signs of corrosion (1), and to perform any necessary repairs as directed by Hawker Siddeley Aviation Technical News Sheet CT(104) No. 125 Issue 6 (1). Any instances of corrosion identified during the inspection must be reported to the Secretary (2). Compliance with these provisions necessitates inspections at specific intervals. For the area between ribs 5 and 7, inspections must be completed within six months of the last inspection and should not exceed six months between subsequent inspections (DCA/DH 104/10). For areas inboard of rib 5 and outboard of rib 7, inspections must be conducted within 12 months of the previous inspection, with intervals not exceeding 12 months thereafter (DCA/DH 104/10). These inspection intervals and reporting requirements ensure that the integrity of the spar booms is continually assessed and maintained. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives can result in various consequences. The regulations impose obligations on operators to ensure the aircraft meet the specified maintenance and inspection standards. Non-compliance with these directives can lead to enforcement actions, as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to intervene. Potential outcomes may include grounding of the aircraft, fines, or other penalties as stipulated by the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The exact penalties are determined by the severity of the non-compliance and any resulting safety risks. In summary, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 mandate thorough inspections of the DH 104 (Dove) Series Aeroplanes' mainplane upper and lower spar booms for corrosion, with specific reporting and compliance intervals. Operators must adhere to these directives to ensure airworthiness, and failure to do so can result in enforcement actions and penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988.