AD/DH114/37 Amdt 1 - Main Undercarriage Damper Ram - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia and are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). One of the key issues these regulations aim to address is ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft, particularly through the implementation of Airworthiness Directives (ADs). The AD/DH114/37 Amendment 1 pertains to the Heron Series Aeroplanes, specifically focusing on the inspection and replacement of the main undercarriage damper ram. The directive mandates that the lower attachment bolt of the damper ram must be easily turned in situ, and if it is not, the ram must be replaced before further flight. Additionally, existing damper rams must be replaced or modified according to specific technical bulletins to prevent internal pressurisation issues that could lead to operational difficulties. This amendment was introduced to ensure compliance with safety standards and to mitigate the risk of accidents caused by unserviceable damper rams.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Series 2 aircraft of the DH114 (Heron) type. This regulation is concerned with ensuring the airworthiness of the main undercarriage damper rams on these aircraft, mandating specific inspection and replacement procedures to maintain safety standards. The regulation outlines that the lower attachment bolt of the damper ram must be checked to ensure it can be easily turned in situ using a spanner, and if it cannot, the ram must be replaced with a serviceable unit before further flight. Additionally, existing damper rams must be replaced with units modified in accordance with Dunlop SB No. 32-824 or new damper rams P/N A/C 65528. Compliance requirements stipulate that for the first paragraph, inspections must occur at each daily or overnight inspection until the modifications or replacements are completed as per Hawker TNS No. U.15, Issue 2, while the second paragraph necessitates these replacements to be completed before 1 July 1974.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include the Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the DH114 (Heron) Series Aeroplanes, amendment 1, which addresses the inspection and replacement of the main undercarriage damper ram. Section (1) mandates that the lower attachment bolt of the damper ram must be checked to ensure it can be turned easily in situ using a spanner. If the bolt cannot be turned easily, the ram must be replaced with a serviceable unit before any further flight. This is crucial as an unserviceable ram can become internally pressurised, making bolt turning extremely difficult or impossible. Section (2) requires the replacement of existing damper rams with parts number AC 11164 with either units modified in accordance with Dunlop Service Bulletin No. 32-824 or new damper rams with parts number A/C 65528. The obligations imposed by this AD on the parties or entities it governs are clear and precise. Operators of the DH114 (Heron) Series Aeroplanes must ensure that the inspection and replacement of the damper ram, as specified, are carried out meticulously. For paragraph 1, the inspection must occur at each daily or overnight inspection until the damper ram is modified or replaced according to Hawker Technical Notice No. U.15, Issue 2. For paragraph 2, the replacement of the damper ram must be completed before 1 July 1974. These obligations are designed to maintain the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft by preventing potential failures that could arise from a compromised damper ram. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this AD may result in significant civil and criminal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with ADs generally can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions might include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and in severe cases, criminal charges against responsible individuals or entities. The exact penalties would depend on the specific nature and extent of the non-compliance, as well as any resultant safety incidents. The importance of adhering to these directives cannot be overstated, as they are fundamental to ensuring the safety and reliability of aviation operations.