AD/DHC-1/33 Amdt 1 - Tailplane Support Struts

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, includes a legislative instrument aimed at addressing safety concerns associated with the De Havilland DHC-1 (Chipmunk) Series Aeroplanes. This instrument was introduced to ensure ongoing airworthiness and safety compliance through specific directives related to tailplane support struts. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, the primary objective of this regulation is to mandate regular inspections and maintenance of these struts to prevent failures due to internal corrosion. The requirement for inspections and necessary actions are detailed in Airworthiness Directive AD/DHC-1/33 Amendment 1, which was necessitated by a reported case of internal corrosion in a tailplane attachment strut. The instrument specifies a stringent compliance timeline, with an initial inspection due within three months from 11 November 1993, and subsequent inspections every seven years following the installation of new struts or compliance with the initial or amended directive. This legislative measure ensures that aircraft maintainers adhere to the technical requirements outlined in British Aerospace Mandatory Technical Notice CT(C1) 186 issue 2, thereby enhancing the safety and reliability of Chipmunk aircraft in Australian airspace.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Airworthiness Directives, as outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically target aircraft manufacturers, operators, and maintenance personnel, ensuring the safe and reliable operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. This includes adherence to directives such as AD/DHC-1/33, which applies to English production Chipmunk series aeroplanes and mandates specific actions concerning the tailplane support struts. Compliance with such directives is mandatory for entities within the Commonwealth of Australia, and failure to adhere can result in penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These regulations do not apply to aircraft outside the specified series or production origin, nor do they extend to other aircraft types unless explicitly included in separate directives. The regulations can be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, ensuring they remain relevant and enforceable within the evolving aviation landscape.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, such as the one for De Havilland DHC-1 (Chipmunk) Series Aeroplanes, detailed in AD/DHC-1/33 Amendment 1. This directive pertains to the tailplane support struts and applies to English production Chipmunks. According to section 1, the requirement is for action to be taken in accordance with British Aerospace Mandatory Technical Notice CT(C1) 186 issue 2. The compliance period mandates that within three months from 11 November 1993, an inspection must be conducted unless it was already accomplished as per the initial issue of this Directive and the aircraft holds a British Aerospace radiographic acceptable assessment from that inspection. Additionally, repeat inspections must be carried out every seven years following the installation of new struts or compliance with either the initial issue or this amendment of the Directive. It is important to note that the compliance date for the initial issue of this Directive was 20 November 1992. Under this legislation, the primary obligation imposed on the relevant parties is to ensure that the specified inspections and actions regarding the tailplane support struts are completed within the stipulated timeframes. Operators of the De Havilland DHC-1 (Chipmunk) Series Aeroplanes must adhere to the technical notice requirements set by British Aerospace and ensure any necessary rework and non-destructive inspections are performed. Compliance with these directives is critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring safety standards are upheld. The directive also highlights the importance of record-keeping, as compliance with previous inspections must be documented to avoid redundant actions. Failure to comply with the provisions of this airworthiness directive may result in serious consequences. The regulations do not explicitly state penalties in the provided text, but non-compliance with airworthiness directives can generally lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include the grounding of the aircraft, fines, and other administrative penalties. Additionally, operators could face civil or criminal liability if non-compliance results in an accident or incident. The exact penalties would be determined based on the severity of the breach and the circumstances surrounding it, but the potential for significant repercussions underscores the importance of adherence to these regulations.