AD/DH114/49 - Flap To Flap Jack Connecting Pin

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, are a comprehensive set of rules governing all aspects of civil aviation within the country. One of the specific pieces of legislation within this regulatory framework is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the DH114 (Heron) series aeroplanes. This directive, identified as AD/DH114/49, was introduced to address a safety issue identified with the flap to flap jack connecting pins of these aircraft models. The problem was that some of these pins were incorrectly manufactured, leading to an in-flight asymmetric flap condition, which posed a significant safety risk. The directive aims to ensure that all affected models are compliant with the British Aerospace Technical Notice CF-20, Issue 1, within a specified timeframe to mitigate the identified risk. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is responsible for enforcing these regulations to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as detailed in PART 39 - 105, apply to the maintenance and operation of all Heron series aeroplanes, specifically those identified as DH114. This legislation mandates adherence to Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), with a particular focus on the flap to flap jack connecting pin, as outlined in AD/DH114/49. The directive applies universally to all models of the DH114 series aeroplanes and necessitates compliance with British Aerospace Technical Notice (BAe TN) CF-20 Issue 1 within seven days from 7 December 1988. The requirement is rooted in the identification of incorrectly manufactured connecting pins that have been found in service, with one instance causing an in-flight asymmetric flap condition, highlighting the critical importance of ensuring these components meet specified safety standards. This regulation extends its jurisdictional reach across the Commonwealth of Australia, enforcing stringent safety measures within the aviation industry to safeguard against potential hazards arising from substandard manufacturing practices.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 and Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD/DH114/49), pertain to the maintenance and safety requirements for DH114 (Heron) Series Aeroplanes. Section 105 mandates adherence to the directive concerning the flap to flap jack connecting pin, applicable to all models of the aircraft. This directive requires action in accordance with BAe TNS CF-20 Issue 1, which is presumably a technical service bulletin or standard that specifies the correct manufacturing and installation procedures for the connecting pins. The Act imposes obligations on aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel to ensure compliance with the AD/DH114/49 directive. Specifically, they must follow the instructions outlined in BAe TNS CF-20 Issue 1, which includes the replacement or rectification of any incorrectly manufactured connecting pins. The directive requires that this compliance be achieved within seven days of the aircraft being in service after 7 December 1988. This timeframe is crucial to mitigate the risk of in-flight asymmetric flap conditions, which could potentially compromise the safety of the flight. Failure to comply with the AD/DH114/49 directive could lead to serious safety risks and legal consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in severe penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These penalties can include fines and imprisonment for individuals, as well as potential grounding of the aircraft and revocation of airworthiness certificates for operators. The safety of the flight and the integrity of the aircraft are paramount, and any breach of these directives could result in substantial civil or criminal liability under Australian aviation law.