Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) were enacted by the Parliament of Australia to establish safety standards for civil aviation operations within the country. These regulations were introduced to ensure the safety of aircraft, passengers, and crew by providing a comprehensive framework for airworthiness and operational standards. Part 39 - 105 of the Regulations, specifically concerning the De Havilland DH 60 (Moth) Series Aeroplanes, addresses the critical issue of cockpit safety harness integrity and life span. This was necessitated by a fatal accident investigation in the UK, which highlighted significant failures in the harness restraint cables and lap straps during impact, resulting in inadequate protection for the pilot and co-pilot. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate regular inspections and necessary replacements of safety harnesses to prevent similar incidents and enhance flight safety. The Airworthiness Directive AD/DH 60/6, which became effective on 17 June 1999, aims to ensure that the integrity of the front and rear cockpit safety harness installations is maintained by adhering to the specified inspection and replacement protocols. The requirement is to inspect and, if necessary, replace the specified safety harness parts within stipulated timeframes to mitigate the risk of harness failure during an emergency. This directive underscores the importance of stringent safety measures in civil aviation, particularly concerning the life-critical equipment of pilots and co-pilots.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, apply to all DH 60 Series aircraft, mandating stringent safety measures concerning cockpit safety harness installations. These regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and pertain to the integrity and lifing of safety harnesses in these aircraft. The requirement encompasses inspecting the integrity of the front and rear cockpit safety harnesses in accordance with specific British Aerospace Mandatory Technical Notice directives, and replacing harnesses of particular part numbers if they do not meet the outlined standards. This directive aims to ensure the safety of pilots by preventing harness failure during critical flight operations. Compliance must be achieved within defined timeframes, either 10 flying hours or before a specified date, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 12 months. Failure to adhere to these regulations may result in non-compliance with civil aviation safety standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety of De Havilland DH 60 (Moth) series aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directive AD/DH 60/6. This directive mandates inspections and potential replacements of cockpit safety harnesses to ensure safety and compliance with aviation standards. Section 1 of the directive requires that the integrity of the front and rear cockpit safety harness installations be inspected in accordance with Paragraph 2A of British Aerospace Mandatory TNS CT(Moth) No. 33 Issue 1 dated 1 March 1999. Additionally, it requires the replacement of certain specified safety harnesses, namely P/Ns H34804A, H33257A, 51764A, H20746, and H37544, in line with Paragraph 2D of the same document. Compliance with these provisions is mandatory and must be achieved within strict timelines to maintain safety standards. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, the primary obligation imposed on the parties governed by this directive is the requirement to inspect and, if necessary, replace the cockpit safety harnesses on all DH 60 Series aircraft. Compliance must be achieved within 10 flying hours or before 17 September 1999, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 12 months. For the replacement of specific harnesses, compliance must be achieved within 9 years of the initial installation date of the harness, or, if the installation date is not known, within 150 flying hours or before 17 June 2002, whichever occurs first. These timelines ensure that the aircraft remain compliant with safety standards and that any potential safety issues are addressed promptly. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this Airworthiness Directive may result in significant legal consequences. Civil and criminal penalties may be imposed under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The exact penalties for non-compliance are not specified within the directive itself but can include fines and potential imprisonment for serious breaches. The severity of these penalties reflects the importance of adhering to safety directives to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all persons involved in air travel.