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-2/25 Horizontal Stabiliser Attachment Brackets 11/87
Applicability: All models S/Nos 1 to 1056 Pre-mod 2/1338 and Pre-mod 2/984 (Agricultural). Requirement: Action in accordance with De Havilland of Canada SB 2/42.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished within the previous 800 hours time in service, within 200 hours time in service after 31 October 1987, thereafter, every 1000 hours time in service.
Background: The original issue of this Service Bulletin was a Country of Origin Airworthiness Directive and as such was an initial Australian CofA requirement. However the manufacturer has expanded the applicability and introduced a repeat inspection requirement which necessitates the issue of this Directive.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, serve as a comprehensive framework governing all aspects of civil aviation within Australia. Part 39, specifically, deals with the airworthiness of aircraft, and within this, Schedule 105 pertains to Airworthiness Directives that ensure the ongoing safety and maintenance of aircraft. One such directive, AD/DHC-2/25, addresses the horizontal stabiliser attachment brackets for DHC-2 (Beaver) series aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers up to 1056 and pre-modifications 2/1338 and 2/984 for agricultural use. This directive was introduced to address a critical safety issue identified by the manufacturer, De Havilland of Canada, through their Service Bulletin 2/42, which was initially adopted as an Australian Country of Origin Airworthiness Directive. The policy objective is to mandate regular inspections and maintenance to ensure that these aircraft remain airworthy, thus enhancing overall aviation safety.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, through this directive, requires inspections and actions in accordance with De Havilland’s Service Bulletin 2/42. The compliance schedule mandates an initial inspection within 200 hours of time in service following 31 October 1987, and subsequent inspections every 1000 hours of time in service. This ongoing requirement aims to mitigate risks associated with the horizontal stabiliser attachment brackets, ensuring that any potential issues are identified and rectified promptly, thereby maintaining the safety and reliability of these aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, concerns the airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for DHC-2 (Beaver) series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument applies to all models of the DHC-2 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 1056, which were manufactured prior to modifications 2/1338 and 2/984, particularly those used for agricultural purposes. The directive mandates that these aircraft must comply with De Havilland of Canada Service Bulletin 2/42, which pertains to the horizontal stabiliser attachment brackets. The requirement stipulates that if the necessary action has not been taken within the previous 800 hours of time in service, it must be completed within 200 hours after 31 October 1987. Following this, the action must be repeated every 1000 hours of time in service. This regulation serves to ensure ongoing compliance with airworthiness standards for these specific aircraft models, reflecting both initial Australian certification requirements and subsequent updates from the manufacturer.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, address the safety directives for DHC-2 (Beaver) series aeroplanes. Section AD/DHC-2/25 pertains to the horizontal stabiliser attachment brackets and mandates actions as per De Havilland of Canada Service Bulletin 2/42. The directive applies to all models with serial numbers from 1 to 1056, excluding those that have already been modified according to modifications 2/1338 and 2/984 (Agricultural). The key requirement here is that if the action specified in the service bulletin has not been completed within the previous 800 hours of time in service, it must be undertaken within 200 hours of 31 October 1987, and then subsequently every 1000 hours of time in service thereafter.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Operators and owners of DHC-2 series aeroplanes are required to ensure compliance with the service bulletin regarding the horizontal stabiliser attachment brackets. This involves conducting the necessary inspections and actions as outlined by De Havilland of Canada to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. The compliance schedule is stringent, demanding that the actions be completed within specific timeframes to avoid any lapses in the aircraft's safety standards.
Failure to adhere to the requirements set out in this directive can lead to significant consequences. While the regulations do not explicitly state penalties, non-compliance with airworthiness directives is a serious matter under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Such non-compliance could result in penalties for the operator, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. These measures are in place to ensure that the safety of air travel is not compromised by any deficiencies in aircraft maintenance or adherence to safety directives. The seriousness of the consequences underscores the importance of timely and accurate compliance with the regulations.