AD/DH 104/37 - Aileron Mass Balance Weight Assembly

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which form part of Australia's regulatory framework for civil aviation safety, include a schedule of airworthiness directives that mandate specific actions to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. One such directive, AD/DH 104/37, pertains to the aileron mass balance weight assembly for all models of DH 104 (Dove) series aeroplanes. This directive was enacted to address the issue of severe internal corrosion reported in a Heron aircraft, which could potentially lead to aileron flutter or severe handling problems. The directive was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and aims to ensure the integrity of the aileron mass balance weight assembly through required inspections and, if necessary, corrective actions. The directive requires a visual inspection within 14 days after 30 April 1987 and, if no corrosion is evident, a radiographic inspection within 50 hours of service time after 30 April 1987 but no later than 31 July 1987. The policy objective is to mitigate the risk of corrosion-related failures by mandating these inspections, thereby ensuring the continued airworthiness and safety of DH 104 series aeroplanes in Australian airspace.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all DH 104 (Dove) series aeroplanes. This legislation mandates that any entity or individual involved in the operation or maintenance of these aircraft must adhere to the directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The requirement focuses on the aileron mass balance weight assembly, with a specified action in accordance with British Aerospace Technical Notice 245 Issue 1. The geographic scope of this regulation is national, as it pertains to all operations within Australia. The directive does not explicitly state any exclusions or thresholds; however, it does specify a timeline for compliance, necessitating a visual inspection within 14 days after 30 April 1987, followed by a radiographic inspection within 50 hours of flight time after 30 April 1987 but no later than 31 July 1987. This regulation is a direct response to a reported case of severe internal corrosion on a Heron aircraft, where failure of the balance assembly could result in aileron flutter or severe handling issues.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in Part 39, mandate specific safety directives for aircraft types, including the Dove series aeroplanes. Under Section 39-105, Airworthiness Directives (ADs) are issued to address safety concerns. The directive AD/DH 104/37 pertains to the aileron mass balance weight assembly of Dove series aeroplanes, specifically to prevent potential hazards like aileron flutter or severe handling issues. The directive requires a series of inspections to ensure the integrity of the balance assembly, addressing a reported case of severe internal corrosion on a Heron aircraft. The directive requires all models of Dove series aeroplanes to comply with British Aerospace Technical Notice (TN) 245 Issue 1. It mandates that operators conduct a visual inspection within 14 days after 30 April 1987. If no corrosion is evident during this visual inspection, a radiographic inspection must be carried out within 50 hours of time in service after 30 April 1987, but no later than 31 July 1987. These inspections are critical to ensure the aileron mass balance weight assembly is free from corrosion, which could lead to dangerous flight conditions. Operators of Dove series aeroplanes must adhere to these inspection requirements to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft. They are obligated to perform the specified inspections within the stipulated timeframes to ensure compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. Failure to comply with these directives can result in serious safety hazards, potentially leading to catastrophic failures in flight. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance with these specific directives, but failure to adhere to airworthiness requirements can lead to enforcement actions under other sections of the Act. These actions can include grounding of the aircraft, fines, and potential criminal charges for endangering public safety. The severity of penalties can vary, but the overarching aim is to ensure that aircraft remain airworthy and safe for operation.