AD/DHC-3/11 - Elevator Quadrant, Inboard Nose Flaps, Empennage, Aileron Centre Hinge and Flap Hydraulic System

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, address the need for maintaining airworthiness standards and ensuring safety in civil aviation operations in Australia. This legislative instrument, known as AD/DHC-3/11, was enacted to ensure that certain components of DHC-3 (Otter) Series Aeroplanes meet specific airworthiness directives issued by De Havilland Canada. The regulation was enacted to fill a critical gap in ensuring that the aircraft maintain operational safety and reliability, thus preventing potential in-flight incidents. The Australian Parliament introduced this legislation, with a clear policy objective of enhancing aviation safety by aligning with international standards and directives. The regulations mandate compliance with De Havilland Canada's engineering bulletins, specifically EB “O” Nos 22, 24, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, and 34, and reference Canadian AD 57-6. This directive requires immediate action to ensure that the elevator quadrant, inboard nose flaps, empennage, NK aileron centre hinge, and flap hydraulic system are inspected and maintained in accordance with specified requirements. This ensures that these critical components function correctly, thereby safeguarding the safety of passengers and crew.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the legislative instrument F2006B09059, specifically address the airworthiness directives for DHC-3 (Otter) series aeroplanes through Schedule 105. This regulation applies to all operators of DHC-3 Otter aeroplanes within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring adherence to the specified airworthiness standards. The scope of the regulation includes detailed actions concerning the elevator quadrant, inboard nose flaps, empennage, NK aileron centre hinge, and flap hydraulic system, as outlined in the requirement document and referenced De H Canada EB "O" numbers 22, 24, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, and 34. Operators are mandated to comply forthwith with these directives to maintain the required safety and operational standards. Although the regulation is primarily concerned with these specific aircraft components, it does not extend to other types of aircraft or aviation operations unless explicitly stated in subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, outlines the requirements for the airworthiness of DHC-3 (Otter) series aeroplanes. These requirements are set forth in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, focusing on AD/DHC-3/11 which pertains to the elevator quadrant, inboard nose flaps, empennage, NK aileron centre hinge, and flap hydraulic system. The applicability of these directives is detailed in the accompanying Requirement Document (Section 105(1)). The action required must comply with De H Canada EB "O" Nos 22, 24, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, and 34 (Section 105(2)). It is important to note that Canadian AD 57-6 also applies (Section 105(3)). The regulations impose certain obligations on the parties or entities governed by these provisions. Primarily, these obligations revolve around ensuring compliance with the specified airworthiness directives. Operators of DHC-3 series aeroplanes must ensure that all necessary actions are carried out in accordance with the detailed requirements. This includes performing the necessary modifications or inspections on the elevator quadrant, inboard nose flaps, empennage, NK aileron centre hinge, and flap hydraulic system as stipulated (Section 105(4)). The compliance must be immediate, indicating that there is no flexibility in the timeline for these actions (Section 105(5)). Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in various consequences, including both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties can include fines and other monetary sanctions, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment. The specific penalties depend on the nature and severity of the breach, but the regulations underscore the seriousness of non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Operators and relevant parties must take these obligations seriously to avoid legal repercussions (Section 105(6)).