COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
DHC-2 (Beaver) Series Aeroplanes
AD/DHC-2/21 Flight Controls, Elevator Root Rib - Inspection 10/80
Applicability: All Model DHC-2 Mk. I, Mk. II and Mk. III. Document: De Havilland Aircraft of Canada SB No. 2/30.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 December 1980 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 400 hours time in service.
Background: Cracking of the elevator root rib at the torque tube attachment and cracking of the reinforcing doubler in the same area has been reported to the manufacturer.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B09039, were enacted to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. This legislation, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), is integral to maintaining the integrity and safety of civil aviation. The specific Airworthiness Directive AD/DHC-2/21, pertaining to the DHC-2 (Beaver) Series Aeroplanes, was introduced to address the problem of cracking in the elevator root rib at the torque tube attachment, as well as associated issues with the reinforcing doubler. This directive aims to ensure that all Model DHC-2 Mk. I, Mk. II, and Mk. III aircraft undergo regular inspections to mitigate these safety concerns, thereby aligning with the overarching policy objective of enhancing aviation safety standards. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, requiring inspections within 100 hours of service after 31 December 1980 and at intervals not exceeding 400 hours thereafter.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, issues Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australia. AD/DHC-2/21 pertains to De Havilland Canada DHC-2 (Beaver) Series aeroplanes, including all Model DHC-2 Mk. I, Mk. II, and Mk. III, mandating inspections of the flight controls, particularly the elevator root rib. This directive applies to any operator of these aircraft registered in Australia, enforcing compliance with the specified inspection intervals to address reported issues such as cracking at the torque tube attachment and the reinforcing doubler. The inspection is required within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1980 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 400 hours of time in service. This regulatory requirement is documented in De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Service Bulletin No. 2/30, ensuring that the aircraft remain airworthy and safe for operation.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) aimed at ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/DHC-2/21, pertains to the DHC-2 (Beaver) series aeroplanes and requires inspections of the flight control system, particularly the elevator root rib (Section 10/80). This directive applies to all Model DHC-2 Mk. I, Mk. II, and Mk. III aeroplanes. The compliance requirement stipulates that inspections must be conducted within 100 hours of time in service after 31 December 1980 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 400 hours of time in service. The directive references De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Service Bulletin No. 2/30, which outlines the inspection and repair procedures necessary to address reported issues of cracking at the elevator root rib and the reinforcing doubler in the same area.
Operators of DHC-2 series aeroplanes are obligated to follow the inspection intervals and procedures specified in the AD/DHC-2/21 directive to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft. These obligations include conducting thorough visual and, if necessary, structural inspections of the elevator root rib and reinforcing doubler areas as per the manufacturer's guidelines. Operators must also ensure that any identified defects or damage are repaired or rectified in accordance with the approved methods detailed in the referenced service bulletin. This includes documenting all inspections and repairs to maintain a comprehensive record for future reference and compliance verification.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive AD/DHC-2/21 could result in significant civil and criminal consequences. Civil Aviation Regulations can impose penalties for non-compliance, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections and repairs are completed. The specific penalties are determined by CASA, but the regulations provide for substantial fines that can be levied against the operators. Additionally, in cases of severe non-compliance or where such non-compliance leads to an aviation incident or accident, operators could face criminal charges, which may include imprisonment, further fines, or both. These potential consequences underscore the importance of strict adherence to the airworthiness directives outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations.