AD/DH 82/13 Amdt 1 - Introduction of Increased Strength Seat Harness Transverse Cable

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, form a comprehensive framework governing civil aviation within the country. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which are critical in ensuring the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products. One such directive, Airworthiness Directive AD/DH 82/13 Amendment 1, was issued to address the safety issue identified in the De Havilland DH 82 (Tiger Moth) Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to rectify the unsafe condition identified with the harness transverse cables under overload conditions, which could lead to a loss of upper body restraint for the seat occupant. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, aiming to ensure that the specified safety measures are met to maintain airworthiness standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety and airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products within Australia. This regulation applies to all persons, entities, and industries involved in civil aviation, including aircraft manufacturers, operators, and maintenance providers. It encompasses a broad range of conduct and transactions related to the maintenance, operation, and certification of aircraft, ensuring that they meet the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The geographic reach of these regulations extends across the Commonwealth, including all states, territories, and national airspace. While the regulations generally apply to all relevant entities, there are provisions for exemptions and exclusions, which can be found in subordinate instruments and specific directives, such as Airworthiness Directives (ADs). These ADs can be issued to address specific safety concerns or to mandate corrective actions for particular types of aircraft or aeronautical products, as exemplified by the directive concerning De Havilland DH 82 (Tiger Moth) Series Aeroplanes.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/DH 82/13 Amendment 1, issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), pertain to the replacement of the harness transverse cables in all De Havilland DH 82 Series aircraft. The directive, which became effective on 19 April 2001, requires that the existing harness transverse cables be replaced with cables of higher strength, as specified in British Aerospace Mandatory Technical Notice CT(Moth) No 37 Issue 2 dated 1 December 2000, or with cables of equivalent or greater strength. This requirement must be fulfilled before 22 February 2002, unless the action has already been taken. The directive revokes the previous AD/DH 82/13 and incorporates an amendment to permit the use of alternate cables. The AD imposes obligations on the owners and operators of De Havilland DH 82 Series aircraft to ensure compliance with the directive. Specifically, they must replace the harness transverse cables as specified, ensuring that the new cables meet the required strength standards. This is to prevent the failure of the harness assembly or attachments under overload conditions, which could result in the total loss of upper body restraint for the seat occupant. The directive references the UK Civil Aviation Authority AD 002-10-2000 and highlights the importance of adhering to the instructions set out in the requirement document. Failure to comply with the AD may result in civil or criminal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the directive, non-compliance with aviation safety regulations generally can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include fines, aircraft grounding, or other regulatory penalties. Ensuring compliance with the AD is crucial to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring the safety of all occupants.