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-3/34
Amdt 1
Tailplane Main Rib Forward Flange and Forward Lower Flange
10/99
Applicability: All Model DHC-3 aircraft.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Bombardier Regional Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) 3/46 Revision E.
Compliance: Unless accomplished in the 12 months prior to 7 October 1999, before 7 October 2000; thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2 calendar years, until Modification 3/935 (SB 3/50) is incorporated.
This Amendment becomes effective on 7 October 1999.
Background: The manufacturer received reports of the tailplane centre section main rib cracking at the main rib forward and forward lower flange radii. Such cracking could lead to failure of the rib structure supporting the tailplane front attachment fitting.
Amendment 1 is issued to introduce a modification which constitutes terminating action to the repetitive inspection requirements of this Directive.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 17 May 1990.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, were enacted to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australia. This legislation, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, addresses the need for regular inspections and modifications to maintain aircraft safety standards. One such amendment, AD/DHC-3/34 Amendment 1, was introduced on 7 October 1999, targeting the DHC-3 (Otter) Series Aeroplanes. This amendment responds to reports of structural cracking in the tailplane main rib forward flange and forward lower flange, which could compromise the aircraft’s safety. The objective is to mandate corrective actions in line with Bombardier Regional Aircraft Service Bulletin 3/46 Revision E, ensuring ongoing compliance with airworthiness standards and preventing potential structural failures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates airworthiness directives that apply to the operation and maintenance of aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia. This particular regulation, AD/DHC-3/34 Amendment 1, applies to all DHC-3 (Otter) Series Aeroplanes and requires actions to be taken in accordance with the Bombardier Regional Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) 3/46 Revision E. This action is aimed at addressing the issue of tailplane main rib forward flange and forward lower flange cracking, which, if left unaddressed, could lead to a structural failure compromising the tailplane's integrity. Compliance with this directive is mandatory unless the required action was accomplished within the preceding 12 months before 7 October 1999, in which case it must be performed before 7 October 2000. Subsequent to this initial compliance, the action must be repeated at intervals not exceeding two calendar years until a specified modification is incorporated. The directive is part of a broader safety framework managed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is effective from 7 October 1999.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, contains a schedule of airworthiness directives that apply to specific aircraft models. In this case, Amendment 1 (AD/DHC-3/34) pertains to the DHC-3 (Otter) series aeroplanes and is concerned with the tailplane main rib forward flange and forward lower flange (section 10/99). The directive applies to all Model DHC-3 aircraft (section 10/99). The primary requirement of this amendment is for aircraft operators to take action in accordance with Bombardier Regional Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) 3/46 Revision E (section 10/99).
Compliance with this airworthiness directive involves ensuring that the specified action is completed before 7 October 2000 if it has not already been done within the preceding 12 months (section 10/99). After this initial compliance period, the action must be repeated at intervals not exceeding two calendar years until the modification 3/935 (SB 3/50) is incorporated (section 10/99). The amendment became effective on 7 October 1999 (section 10/99). The directive is aimed at addressing reports of the tailplane centre section main rib cracking at the main rib forward and forward lower flange radii, which could potentially lead to failure of the rib structure supporting the tailplane front attachment fitting (section 10/99).
Aircraft operators and owners are obligated to ensure that their DHC-3 aircraft comply with the airworthiness directive by taking the necessary action specified in the Bombardier Regional Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) 3/46 Revision E. This includes performing the required inspection and maintenance on the tailplane main rib forward flange and forward lower flange. Failure to comply with this directive may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to operational restrictions or grounding of the aircraft (section 10/99). The directive is part of the regulatory framework to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the DHC-3 series aeroplanes in Australian airspace.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive may result in civil or criminal consequences. The Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide for various penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Under section 64 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, a person who contravenes a direction issued under the Act is liable to a penalty. The penalty for a corporation can be up to $210,000, while the penalty for an individual can be up to $42,000 (section 64). In addition, the operator of an aircraft that is not airworthy under the regulations can be subject to prosecution, which may result in fines and imprisonment. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the airworthiness directive to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.