Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by Legislative Instrument F2006B08874, address specific maintenance requirements for the Hawker Siddeley Dove (DH 104) series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Australian Government, this regulation is part of the broader framework aimed at ensuring the safety and airworthiness of civil aircraft. The policy objective of this regulation is to enhance the safety of air travel by imposing stringent inspection and maintenance protocols on certain components of the Dove series aircraft, particularly the drag bracing member and centre section spar lower boom. This directive was introduced to mitigate risks associated with structural integrity, ensuring that these critical components are regularly inspected and maintained according to specified timelines to prevent potential failures and ensure continued safe operation of the aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all models of the DH 104 (Dove) series aeroplanes. This legislation mandates that certain inspections and replacements of drag bracing members and centre section spars, as outlined in the Hawker Siddeley TNS CT(104) No. 230.5/73 document, must be carried out to ensure continued airworthiness. The directive applies to all persons and entities operating the specified aircraft models within the Commonwealth of Australia. Compliance with the inspection and replacement requirements is critical; inspections must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 29 June 1973 or before 1 August 1973, whichever comes first, and any required replacements must be made before 1 July 1974. This regulation ensures that all operators adhere to the stipulated safety standards to maintain the airworthiness of the DH 104 (Dove) series aeroplanes.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically addresses the DH 104 (Dove) Series Aeroplanes in AD/DH 104/31. This directive pertains to the drag bracing member and centre section spar lower boom, focusing on their inspection and replacement. The directive applies to all models within this series. The main requirement is that the fittings must be inspected in accordance with paragraph 4 of TNS CT(104) No. 230, within 100 hours of time in service after 29 June 1973 or before 1 August 1973, whichever comes first. Following the inspection, the fittings must be replaced according to paragraph 5 of TNS CT(104) No. 230 before 1 July 1974. The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties and entities governed by it are clear and specific. Operators of the DH 104 (Dove) Series Aeroplanes must ensure that the inspection and replacement of the specified fittings are carried out in a timely and compliant manner. This involves adhering to the strict timelines and procedures outlined in the referenced document TNS CT(104) No. 230. Failure to comply with these obligations can result in significant safety and regulatory issues, potentially leading to aircraft being grounded or not being permitted to fly until the required actions are taken. In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly detail offences, penalties, or consequences within the provided text of AD/DH 104/31. However, it is important to note that failure to adhere to Airworthiness Directives can result in serious regulatory actions under the broader Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations. This could include enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), fines, and other civil or criminal penalties. The specific penalties would depend on the severity and impact of the non-compliance, as well as any resultant safety risks or incidents.