COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
DH 82 (Tiger Moth) Series Aeroplanes
AD/DH 82/11
Amdt 1
Flight Limitations and Structural Inspection 13/98
Applicability: All Models DH82 series aircraft.
Requirement: Action in accordance with British Aerospace (BAe) Mandatory Technical News Sheet (TNS) CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2.
Compliance: 1. For aircraft requiring aerobatic and spinning clearance:
Accomplish the instructions contained within TNS CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2 Paragraph 8B and 8D before resuming aerobatic flight, while Paragraphs 8A and 8C of TNS CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2 must be completed within 150 hours time in service after 3 December 1998 or before 3 December 1999, whichever occurs first.
2. For aircraft not requiring aerobatic and spinning clearance, including those aircraft not affected by the initial issue of this directive:
Accomplish the instructions contained within TNS CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2 Paragraphs 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D within 150 hours time in service after
3 December 1998 or before 3 December 1999, whichever occurs first.
Where the intent of the spar root inspection with bolts removed (Paragraph 8B refers) has been carried out during restoration/overhaul work prior to the issue of TNS CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2; provided that the work carried out is equivalent to Paragraph 8B which includes wet assembly, and is substantiated by documented proof, compliance with Paragraph 8B is not required.
3. Repeat the structural inspection contained within TNS CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2 Paragraph 8A at intervals not to exceed 3 calendar years.
This amendment becomes effective on 3 December 1998.
Background: A recent accident occurred involving a Tiger Moth aircraft. The aircraft was involved in aerobatic manoeuvres and suffered structural failure. This Directive prohibited any form of aerobatic or spinning manoeuvres pending the conclusion of an accident investigation.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to Issue 2 of BAe TNS No. 32 which was issued in response to the results of the accident investigation. This Directive introduces a specific inspection to clear aerobatic and spinning manoeuvres and a structural inspection program to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 25 March 1998.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, introduced the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for DH 82 (Tiger Moth) series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this legislation was introduced to address the identified safety issues following a recent accident involving a Tiger Moth aircraft that suffered structural failure during aerobatic manoeuvres. The primary objective of this amendment, as stated, is to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft by introducing mandatory flight limitations and structural inspections. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in response to British Aerospace's Mandatory Technical News Sheet CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2, which was a result of the accident investigation.
This Airworthiness Directive mandates specific actions for DH 82 series aircraft to prevent aerobatic and spinning manoeuvres until certain inspection requirements are met. Aircraft requiring aerobatic and spinning clearance must follow the instructions in British Aerospace Technical News Sheet CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2 Paragraphs 8B and 8D before resuming such manoeuvres, with other required inspections to be completed within 150 hours of time in service after 3 December 1998 or before 3 December 1999, whichever is earlier. For aircraft not requiring aerobatic and spinning clearance, inspections must be completed within 150 hours of time in service after 3 December 1998 or before 3 December 1999. Structural inspections must be repeated at intervals not to exceed three calendar years. This amendment became effective on 3 December 1998.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the application of Airworthiness Directives for all DH 82 series Tiger Moth aircraft, governing the actions required to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all models of DH82 series aircraft, with particular focus on flight limitations and structural inspections as outlined in British Aerospace Mandatory Technical News Sheet (TNS) CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2. The directive mandates specific actions for aircraft that require aerobatic and spinning clearance, necessitating adherence to certain paragraphs of the TNS within defined timeframes, as well as ongoing structural inspections at intervals not exceeding three calendar years. The directive's scope extends to all DH 82 series aircraft operating within Australia, ensuring compliance with stringent safety measures post the accident investigation that highlighted the risks of aerobatic manoeuvres. Notably, certain inspections may be deemed unnecessary if equivalent work has been previously completed and documented, providing flexibility while maintaining safety standards. This amendment, effective from 3 December 1998, aims to prevent future incidents by enforcing rigorous inspection protocols.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for DH 82 (Tiger Moth) Series Aeroplanes, outlines specific flight limitations and structural inspection requirements (AD/DH 82/11 Amendment 1). This regulation mandates actions in accordance with British Aerospace (BAe) Mandatory Technical News Sheet (TNS) CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2, effective from 3 December 1998. The directive applies to all models of DH82 series aircraft. For aircraft that require aerobatic and spinning clearance, it is necessary to complete the instructions in TNS CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2 Paragraphs 8B and 8D before resuming such flights. Additionally, Paragraphs 8A and 8C must be completed within 150 hours of time in service after 3 December 1998 or before 3 December 1999, whichever comes first. For aircraft not requiring aerobatic and spinning clearance, the instructions in Paragraphs 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D must be completed within the same timeframe.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Owners and operators of DH82 series aircraft must ensure that all required inspections and actions are completed as specified by the TNS CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2. For those aircraft needing aerobatic and spinning clearance, Paragraphs 8B and 8D must be addressed before any such flight, and Paragraphs 8A and 8C within 150 hours of time in service. Aircraft not requiring aerobatic and spinning clearance must still follow the same inspection protocol within the specified timeframe. If the spar root inspection with bolts removed (Paragraph 8B) has been conducted during restoration or overhaul work before the TNS CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2 was issued, and this work is equivalent and includes wet assembly, documented proof is acceptable in lieu of repeating the inspection.
The legislation includes specific consequences for non-compliance. Failure to adhere to the specified inspection and action requirements can result in serious safety risks, potentially leading to structural failure and accidents. While the regulations do not explicitly state penalties, non-compliance could result in the aircraft being grounded, thereby impacting the operations of the owners and operators. Furthermore, any accidents arising from non-compliance could lead to civil or criminal liabilities under other relevant aviation and safety laws. It is imperative for all stakeholders to strictly follow these directives to maintain the airworthiness of the DH82 series aircraft.