COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
DH 87 (Hornet Moth) Series Aeroplanes
AD/DH 87/2
Amdt 1
Flight Limitations and Structural Inspection 13/98
Applicability: All Models DH87 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 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, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, were enacted to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation is designed to address aviation safety issues and maintain the airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australia. A notable component within the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 is Part 39, which includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that mandate specific actions to be taken to ensure aircraft meet safety standards. AD/DH 87/2 Amendment 1, introduced in 1998, is one such directive aimed at addressing the identified safety concerns following an accident involving a DH 87 series aircraft. The amendment was enacted to provide a comprehensive inspection and flight limitations protocol to prevent similar incidents in the future, ensuring the continued safety and airworthiness of the DH 87 series aeroplanes in Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all DH 87 series Hornet Moth aircraft, mandating adherence to specified airworthiness directives. The directive is focused on ensuring the continued airworthiness of these aircraft, particularly in the context of aerobatic and spinning clearances, through specific structural inspections. Compliance with British Aerospace Mandatory Technical News Sheet (TNS) CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2 is required, with certain paragraphs needing completion within specific timeframes, including the requirement to perform aerobatic and spinning clearance actions before resuming such activities. For aircraft not requiring aerobatic and spinning clearance, certain inspection procedures must be completed within 150 hours of time in service after 3 December 1998 or before 3 December 1999, whichever occurs first. Structural inspections must be repeated at intervals not exceeding three calendar years. This directive became effective on 3 December 1998, following an accident involving a Tiger Moth aircraft that led to a structural failure during aerobatic manoeuvres. The amendment was issued in response to the results of the accident investigation, aiming to enhance safety measures for the DH 87 series aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, detail critical provisions for DH 87 (Hornet Moth) Series Aeroplanes. Section 13/98 of Amendment 1 pertains to flight limitations and structural inspections. It mandates that all models of the DH87 series aircraft must adhere to the instructions in British Aerospace (BAe) Mandatory Technical News Sheet (TNS) CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2. For aircraft requiring aerobatic and spinning clearance, the directives in Paragraphs 8B and 8D of TNS CT (Moth) No. 32 Issue 2 must be completed before resuming such flight activities, while Paragraphs 8A and 8C must be addressed within 150 hours of time in service after 3 December 1998 or before 3 December 1999, whichever comes first. Aircraft not requiring aerobatic and spinning clearance must complete Paragraphs 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D within the same time frame. Notably, if the spar root inspection with bolts removed (Paragraph 8B) was performed during prior restoration or overhaul work and is substantiated by documented proof, compliance with Paragraph 8B is not necessary. Additionally, the structural inspection in Paragraph 8A must be repeated at intervals not exceeding three calendar years.
The obligations imposed by these regulations require aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel to meticulously follow the outlined inspection and action requirements. This includes ensuring that the aircraft meet the specified standards for airworthiness, particularly in relation to structural integrity and flight limitations. It is critical that all work is documented and, where applicable, that prior inspections are verified to ensure ongoing compliance with the AD/DH 87/2 Amendment 1 directives. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in severe consequences for both the aircraft and its operators.
Failure to adhere to the provisions outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to significant legal and safety consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take action against non-compliance, which can include fines, penalties, and potential grounding of the aircraft. The exact penalties for breach of these regulations can vary, but they are intended to ensure that all aircraft maintain the highest standards of airworthiness. In severe cases, non-compliance could result in criminal charges, especially if the breach is found to be a direct cause of an accident or incident. The maximum penalties for such offences are stipulated by the relevant legislation and can be substantial, reflecting the serious nature of ensuring safe aviation practices.