AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
De Havilland DH 83 (Fox Moth) Series Aeroplanes
AD/DH 83/1 Flight Limitations and Structural Inspection 12/2003
Applicability: All Models DH 83 series aircraft.
Requirement: Action in accordance with British Aerospace (BAe) Mandatory Technical News Sheet (TNS) CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2.
Note: UK CAA AD 002-03-98 refers.
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 27 November 2003 or before 27 May 2004, whichever occurs first; unless previously accomplished.
2. For aircraft not requiring aerobatic and spinning clearance:
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
27 November 2003 or before 27 May 2004, whichever occurs first; unless previously accomplished.
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 Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 27 November 2003.
Background: An accident occurred in 1998 involving a Tiger Moth aircraft. The aircraft was involved in aerobatic manoeuvres and suffered structural failure. Any form of aerobatic or spinning manoeuvres was prohibited pending the conclusion of an accident investigation.
De Havilland DH 83 (Fox Moth) Series Aeroplanes
AD/DH 83/1 (continued)
British Aerospace TNS No. 32 Issue 2 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.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 14 October 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 5 November 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/DH 83/1 for De Havilland DH 83 (Fox Moth) Series Aeroplanes in 2003. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the safety concerns arising from a 1998 accident involving a Tiger Moth aircraft during aerobatic manoeuvres, which led to a structural failure. The AD mandates specific actions to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft, including detailed inspection and maintenance requirements as outlined in British Aerospace (BAe) Mandatory Technical News Sheet (TNS) CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2. The directive aims to prevent similar accidents by enforcing stringent flight limitations and structural inspection protocols, thereby enhancing aviation safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertains to all models of the De Havilland DH 83 (Fox Moth) series aeroplanes, applying to both aircraft requiring aerobatic and spinning clearance and those that do not. This AD was issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in response to a structural failure during aerobatic manoeuvres involving a Tiger Moth aircraft in 1998. The directive mandates specific actions to be taken by aircraft operators to ensure compliance with British Aerospace Mandatory Technical News Sheet (TNS) CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2. These actions include completing certain inspection tasks within specified timeframes or operational hours, and repeating structural inspections at intervals not exceeding three calendar years. The directive became effective on 27 November 2003 and was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 5 November 2003, thereby extending its jurisdictional reach across Australia. The AD does not apply if equivalent inspection work has already been completed and substantiated with documented proof.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) applies to all De Havilland DH 83 (Fox Moth) series aeroplanes. This directive mandates specific actions to address identified unsafe conditions, as outlined in section (a) through (c). The requirement section (section 1) specifies actions to be taken according to British Aerospace (BAe) Mandatory Technical News Sheet (TNS) CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2, with references to UK Civil Aviation Authority AD 002-03-98.
The obligations imposed by this directive primarily concern the maintenance and inspection of the aircraft. For aircraft requiring aerobatic and spinning clearance, certain actions must be completed before resuming such manoeuvres, and others must be completed within 150 hours of service time after 27 November 2003 or before 27 May 2004. For aircraft not requiring such clearance, all specified actions must be completed within the same timeframe. Additionally, the spar root inspection must be performed at intervals not exceeding three calendar years. The directive allows for an exception if the required inspection was already carried out during restoration or overhaul work prior to the directive's issuance, provided it meets the specified criteria and is documented accordingly.
Failure to comply with the AD may lead to significant consequences. The directive mandates that the aircraft should not be flown if the specified inspections and actions are not completed as required. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces this directive to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft. Non-compliance could result in the aircraft being grounded until the required actions are performed, potentially leading to severe civil and possibly criminal penalties. The maximum penalties for non-compliance with CASA directives can include substantial fines and, in some cases, imprisonment for individuals responsible for the oversight of the aircraft.