COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
DH 104 (Dove) Series Aeroplanes
AD/DH 104/7 Fuselage - Inspection 8/71
Applicability: All models.
Requirement: 1. Remove the bottom rear wing root fairings around the port and starboard rear spar attachment fittings and inspect the fuselage skin for buckling in those areas.
2. Release the appropriate inspection panel in the keel and examine the rear spar transverse frames for buckling or other damage on both port and starboard sides.
3. Remove the rear cabin heater ducts and run the fingers down the double frame inside the fuselage, from the lower window rail to the floor between windows Nos. 3 and 4 (numbering from the front) and feel for buckling. Pay particular attention to the area on both sides from the floor level to approximately 15 inches above it.
4. If buckling has occurred, repair the fuselage to the satisfaction of the Secretary before further flight.
Compliance: For Paras. 1 and 2 - At intervals not exceeding 300 hours time in service.
For Paras. 1, 2 and 3 - Before further flight after a heavy landing.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B08885, specifically address the need for regular inspection and maintenance of the fuselage of DH 104 (Dove) Series Aeroplanes to ensure continued airworthiness and passenger safety. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to establish a structured schedule of airworthiness directives aimed at mitigating risks associated with structural weaknesses in the fuselage of these aircraft. By implementing this regulation, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) aims to ensure that any potential structural issues, such as buckling, are identified and rectified promptly, thus maintaining the integrity and safety of the aircraft during operation. The policy objective is to enforce rigorous and regular inspection protocols to prevent catastrophic failures and ensure compliance with safety standards.
The regulations outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of CASA, mandate specific inspection intervals and procedures for the fuselage of the DH 104 (Dove) Series Aeroplanes. These directives require detailed checks of the fuselage skin and structural components to identify and repair any buckling or damage. The requirement to inspect and, if necessary, repair the fuselage before further flight after a heavy landing, underscores the commitment to maintaining high safety standards and preventing any potential mid-flight structural failures. This approach ensures that any issues are addressed proactively, thereby safeguarding the safety of all passengers and crew on board.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandate strict adherence to Airworthiness Directives for aircraft maintenance and safety. AD/DH 104/7 applies to all models of the DH 104 (Dove) series aeroplanes and requires detailed inspections of the fuselage to ensure its structural integrity. These inspections involve removing specific fairings and panels to examine for buckling or damage in critical areas such as the rear spar attachment fittings, keel, and internal double frame structures. Compliance with these directives is essential, with inspections mandated at intervals not exceeding 300 hours of service and before further flight after a heavy landing. Any detected buckling must be repaired to the satisfaction of the Secretary to ensure the aircraft remains airworthy. This legislation underscores the Commonwealth's commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation within Australia, with a clear focus on regular and thorough inspections to prevent potential structural failures.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 pertaining to Airworthiness Directives for the DH 104 (Dove) Series Aeroplanes, detail specific inspection requirements for the fuselage. Section 1 of AD/DH 104/7 mandates that the bottom rear wing root fairings around the port and starboard rear spar attachment fittings must be removed to inspect the fuselage skin for buckling. Section 2 requires the release of the appropriate inspection panel in the keel to examine the rear spar transverse frames for any buckling or damage on both sides of the aircraft. Section 3 instructs the removal of the rear cabin heater ducts and manual inspection of the double frame inside the fuselage for buckling, particularly from the lower window rail to the floor between windows Nos. 3 and 4, and up to approximately 15 inches above the floor. If any buckling is detected, Section 4 requires that the fuselage be repaired to the satisfaction of the Secretary before any further flight.
The obligations imposed by these regulations are primarily on the aircraft operators and maintenance personnel. They must ensure that the specified inspections are performed at intervals not exceeding 300 hours of time in service for sections 1 and 2, and before any further flight after a heavy landing for sections 1, 2, and 3. Operators must also ensure that any detected buckling or damage is repaired adequately, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, which likely involves adherence to specific repair standards and possibly certification by a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer.
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in serious safety risks, and the regulations do not explicitly state specific penalties or consequences for non-compliance. However, non-compliance can potentially lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which may include grounding of the aircraft, fines, or other regulatory sanctions. The exact penalties would be determined by CASA under the broader Civil Aviation Act 1988, but it is clear that adherence to these directives is crucial to maintaining the airworthiness of the DH 104 (Dove) Series Aeroplanes.