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 82/2
Amdt 1
Fuel Cock Control Lever - Modification 5/99
Applicability: DH 82, DH82A Tiger Moth and Queen Bee aircraft.
Requirement: Unless already previously accomplished, modify the fuel cock control (rear cockpit) to ensure positive locking in the “ON” position and to allow rapid movement of the lever to the “OFF” position in the event of an emergency. The recently issued British Aerospace Modification Moth 155 meets the requirement of this Directive.
Compliance: Within 25 hours of the effective date of this directive. This Amendment becomes effective on 20 May 1999.
Background: During investigation of a recent accident involving a Tiger Moth in UK, the investigating authority recommended that provision be made for positive locking of the fuel cock lever. AD/DH82/2 was issued in 1984 to achieve this, however the requirement documents quoted at the time are now out of date. This amendment is to incorporate the recently issued BAe Modification on the matter.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 28 November 1958.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation within the country. This legislation provides the framework for airworthiness directives, such as AD/DH 82/2, which was introduced to address safety issues associated with the Tiger Moth series aeroplanes. The specific problem this directive aimed to resolve was the inadequate locking mechanism of the fuel cock control lever, which was highlighted following an accident investigation in the UK. To rectify this, the directive requires the modification of the fuel cock control to ensure it locks positively in the “ON” position and allows for rapid movement to the “OFF” position in emergencies. The policy objective is to enhance safety by preventing fuel-related accidents through improved control lever functionality. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with modifications to be completed within 25 hours of the directive’s effective date of 20 May 1999.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, governs the safety directives for aircraft under the Commonwealth of Australia, with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) being the regulatory body. The legislation applies to DH 82, DH82A Tiger Moth, and Queen Bee aircraft, mandating modifications to their fuel cock control in the rear cockpit to ensure positive locking in the "ON" position and allow for rapid movement to the "OFF" position in emergencies. This directive ensures compliance within 25 hours from the effective date of the directive, which is 20 May 1999. The requirement stems from an investigation into a recent accident involving a Tiger Moth in the UK, where the investigating authority recommended enhancements to the fuel cock lever to prevent future incidents. This amendment updates the previously issued AD/DH82/2 from 1984 by incorporating the more recent British Aerospace Modification Moth 155. The original directive was issued on 28 November 1958, highlighting the continuous evolution of safety standards in civil aviation within Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, includes a schedule of airworthiness directives that govern the safety standards for various aircraft types. One such directive, AD/DH 82/2 Amendment 1, pertains to the DH 82 (Tiger Moth) series aeroplanes. This amendment, effective from 20 May 1999, mandates modifications to the fuel cock control lever in the rear cockpit of DH 82, DH82A Tiger Moth and Queen Bee aircraft (section 5/99). The requirement is to ensure the lever locks positively in the "ON" position and allows for rapid movement to the "OFF" position in emergencies. This modification is intended to address safety concerns highlighted in a recent UK accident investigation, which recommended the provision of positive locking for the fuel cock lever.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators of DH 82, DH82A Tiger Moth, and Queen Bee aircraft must comply with the modification requirements within 25 hours of the directive's effective date. Failure to implement these modifications in a timely manner could result in non-compliance with airworthiness standards, potentially leading to safety risks during operation. The compliance period is short, indicating the urgency and importance of addressing this safety issue. The directive references the British Aerospace Modification Moth 155 as a suitable modification that meets the specified requirements.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/DH 82/2 Amendment 1 can lead to significant consequences. The regulations do not explicitly state penalties in the provided text, but non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in severe civil or criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These penalties can include fines and, in serious cases, prosecution. Additionally, non-compliance could result in the grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are completed, impacting the operational readiness and potentially the business operations of the aircraft operator. It is therefore imperative for operators to adhere to the directive to maintain safety and avoid legal repercussions.