AD/DH 104/12 Amdt 2 - Outer Mainplane - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, are a comprehensive set of rules governing all aspects of civil aviation within the country. Specifically, Part 39 - 105, concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s schedule of airworthiness directives, addresses the critical issue of ensuring that all civil aircraft meet specific safety standards. This part of the regulations was introduced to fill the gap in maintaining consistent and high safety standards across the aviation industry, aiming to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of passengers and crew. The policy objective of these regulations is to mandate regular inspections and maintenance of aircraft, ensuring they comply with the stringent safety directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This is exemplified in the Airworthiness Directive for the de Havilland DH 104 (Dove) Series Aeroplanes, which requires regular inspections of the outer mainplane to prevent structural failures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the Airworthiness Directives for the De Havilland 104 (Dove) Series Aeroplanes, with Amendment 2 focusing on the outer mainplane inspection. This regulation applies to all models of the De Havilland 104 series, except those incorporating Modification 870. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) mandates compliance with the detailed requirements outlined in De Havilland Technical Notice Series CT(104) No. 134, Issue 5. The regulation is applicable to any entity or person operating or maintaining the specified aircraft models within the Commonwealth of Australia. Its geographic reach is national, ensuring uniform safety standards across all states and territories. Subordinate instruments may extend or clarify the application of these regulations, but the primary directive remains as specified in the Civil Aviation Regulations and the referenced technical notice.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, contain the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This includes the directives for the De Havilland 104 (Dove) series aeroplanes, detailed in AD/DH 104/12 Amendment 2, which addresses the inspection of the outer mainplane. This directive applies to all models except those incorporating Modification 870, as outlined in De Havilland Technical Notice CT(104) No. 134, Issue 5. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and must be achieved according to the specific requirements detailed in the referenced document. Under these regulations, operators of De Havilland 104 (Dove) series aeroplanes must ensure that the outer mainplane is inspected as per the specifications provided in the De Havilland Technical Notice. This includes adhering to the technical instructions and standards set forth in the document to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Operators are required to follow the outlined procedures and ensure that any identified issues are rectified in accordance with CASA's requirements to maintain safety standards. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives and the specific inspection requirements for the outer mainplane may result in severe consequences. CASA can take action against operators who do not adhere to these regulations, potentially leading to the suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness. Such actions can have significant implications for the operation of the aircraft, including grounding the aircraft until compliance is achieved. Additionally, there may be financial penalties imposed on the operators, which can vary depending on the severity and frequency of the non-compliance. The penalties for non-compliance with the airworthiness directives can be substantial. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, operators may face fines and other civil penalties for breaches of the regulations. The maximum penalties can include fines up to $165,200 for individuals and significantly higher amounts for corporations, depending on the nature and impact of the non-compliance. Furthermore, repeat offenders or those found guilty of serious breaches may face additional criminal charges, resulting in fines or imprisonment. It is essential for operators to ensure strict adherence to the directives to avoid these serious repercussions.