AD/DH 104/2 - Siebe Gorman Safety Belt - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, were established to regulate civil aviation operations, including ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft within Australia. A specific legislative instrument, F2006B08864, was introduced under this act to address issues related to the safety of aircraft, particularly focusing on compliance with airworthiness directives. This legislative instrument, which amends the 1998 regulations, targets the De Havilland Dove series aeroplanes, specifically mandating modifications to the Siebe Gorman safety belts fitted in these models. The policy objective is to ensure that all relevant aircraft meet the necessary safety standards, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation within Australia. This regulation was introduced to address any gaps in safety compliance identified with the Siebe Gorman safety belts in De Havilland Dove aircraft, ensuring that they meet the required safety standards before a specified compliance date.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, include specific directives pertaining to the airworthiness of various aircraft, with the regulations being administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations pertains to airworthiness directives for certain aircraft types. In this case, the Airworthiness Directive (AD) DH 104/2 addresses the requirement for modifications to Siebe Gorman safety belts on all models of De Havilland Dove series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all Dove series aeroplanes fitted with Siebe Gorman safety belts, as detailed in the document referencing De Havilland Mod. No. Dove 542 (TNS CT(104) No. 69) or the Aeronautical Notice (ANO) 105.1.14.13.5.5. Compliance with these directives is mandatory for any aircraft of the specified models fitted with the aforementioned safety belts before the specified date of 1 September 1971. The scope of this legislation is national, extending across all states and territories within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniformity in compliance with safety standards for these aircraft. There are no exclusions or exemptions specified within the text of the directive itself, but compliance may be further elaborated or detailed in subordinate instruments or related documentation issued by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, detail the regulatory framework governing the airworthiness of aircraft. Under this legislation, Section AD/DH 104/2 pertains to Siebe Gorman safety belts on de Havilland Dove Series Aeroplanes (Section 1). This directive applies to all models of Doves fitted with Siebe Gorman safety belts (Section 2). The document references include De Havilland Modification Notice No. 542 and the Airworthiness Notice No. 105.1.14.13.5.5. The compliance requirement mandates that modifications to the safety belts must be completed before 1 September 1971 (Section 3). Entities and individuals governed by these regulations must adhere to the directives outlined to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft. This involves inspecting and, if necessary, modifying the Siebe Gorman safety belts to meet the specified standards. Ensuring compliance requires meticulous record-keeping and adherence to the timelines provided. Non-compliance can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which would prevent it from operating legally. The legislation imposes significant obligations on the operators and maintainers of these aircraft. They must ensure that all modifications are documented and that the aircraft are inspected by authorised personnel. The operators are responsible for maintaining a log of all modifications and inspections, which must be readily available for inspection by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) upon request. Failure to comply with these obligations can lead to severe consequences. Failure to adhere to the directives and regulatory requirements can result in serious legal and operational repercussions. The regulations outline potential offences and penalties for non-compliance, which can include fines and imprisonment. For instance, operating an aircraft that does not meet the specified airworthiness standards could result in substantial penalties. Additionally, CASA has the authority to take enforcement actions, such as grounding the aircraft or revoking the operator's license, which can have severe financial and operational implications for the offending party.