COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
DHC-3 (Otter) Series Aeroplanes
AD/DHC-3/31 Control Column Cracking 13/87
Applicability: All models.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the Havilland Canada SB 3/39 Rev B.
Compliance: In accordance with the criteria listed in the Requirement Document but prior to the issue of an initial Certificate of Airworthiness.
Note 1. Canadian AD CF-82-34 refers.
Note 2. An inspection is required whenever a parked aircraft is subjected to the adverse wind conditions descried in the Requirement Document.
Background: There have been reported cracks in the lower welded assembly at the base of the control column. The cracking is attributed to ground gust loading of the elevator surfaces.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, were introduced to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. Part 39 - 105 of these regulations pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which mandates specific safety measures and inspections for particular aircraft models. One such directive is AD/DHC-3/31, which addresses the issue of control column cracking in DHC-3 (Otter) Series Aeroplanes. This directive requires action in accordance with the Havilland Canada Service Bulletin 3/39 Revision B, aiming to mitigate the risk of cracks in the lower welded assembly at the base of the control column due to ground gust loading of the elevator surfaces. Compliance with this directive is mandatory prior to the issuance of an initial Certificate of Airworthiness and necessitates inspections under specified adverse wind conditions.
The policy objective behind these regulations is to ensure that all civil aircraft meet stringent safety standards, thereby protecting the lives of passengers and crew, as well as maintaining the integrity of the aviation industry. By referencing Canadian AD CF-82-34 and requiring specific inspections, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 seek to preempt and address potential safety hazards systematically and effectively.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all DHC-3 (Otter) series aeroplanes within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that these aircraft meet stringent airworthiness standards. This regulation mandates that all operators and owners of DHC-3 aircraft must adhere to the Havilland Canada Service Bulletin 3/39 Revision B to address reported cracking in the lower welded assembly at the base of the control column, a condition caused by ground gust loading of the elevator surfaces. The requirement for compliance must be fulfilled prior to the issuance of an initial Certificate of Airworthiness, ensuring that safety concerns are proactively addressed. Additionally, inspections must be conducted whenever a parked aircraft is subjected to adverse wind conditions as specified in the Requirement Document, referencing the Canadian AD CF-82-34. The regulation extends its reach through subordinate instruments which may provide further detail or clarification on the implementation of these directives.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include detailed provisions under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives for various aircraft types. For the DHC-3 (Otter) Series Aeroplanes, one such directive is AD/DHC-3/31 concerning control column cracking (section 13/87). This directive applies to all models of the DHC-3 series (section 13/87). It mandates that the required action be taken in accordance with the de Havilland Canada Service Bulletin 3/39 Revision B (section 13/87). Compliance with this directive must occur prior to the issuance of an initial Certificate of Airworthiness. This requirement ensures that any identified issues are rectified before the aircraft is deemed airworthy.
The obligations imposed by this directive are stringent and focus on ensuring the structural integrity of the control column, particularly the lower welded assembly at the base of the control column. Owners and operators of DHC-3 series aircraft must adhere to the inspection and repair procedures outlined in the de Havilland Canada Service Bulletin 3/39 Revision B. This includes conducting an inspection whenever a parked aircraft is subjected to adverse wind conditions as described in the Requirement Document (section 13/87). The directive underscores the importance of regular and thorough inspections to prevent the occurrence of cracks in the control column, which can compromise flight safety.
In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose significant penalties for breaches of airworthiness directives. While the specific penalties are not detailed in this particular directive, general provisions within the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations provide for substantial fines and potential imprisonment for violations that endanger safety. For instance, under section 44 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, an individual or corporation found guilty of endangering the safety of an aircraft by not complying with an airworthiness directive could face a maximum penalty of $126,000 for an individual and $630,000 for a corporation, along with possible imprisonment. These penalties reflect the critical nature of adhering to airworthiness directives to maintain aviation safety standards.