COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
DHC-3 (Otter) Series Aeroplanes
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/DHC-3/37 Magneto Cannon Plug 12/2001
Applicability: All Model DHC-3 aeroplanes powered by radial engines.
Requirement: 1. Perform a visual inspection of the firewall ignition plug and receptacle for proper lock wiring and security in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Aerospace de Havilland Otter Alert Service Bulletin A3/53, Revision ‘A’ dated 30 August 2001.
2. Replace any damaged parts detected during the Requirement 1 inspection.
3. Incorporate Maintenance Manual PSM 1-3-2 Temporary Revision TR14, dated 24 August 2001, into the periodic inspection of the aircraft approved maintenance schedule.
Note: Transport Canada AD CF-2001-37 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Within 3 months or 110 hours time in service after the effective date of this Directive, whichever occurs first.
For Requirement 2 - Before further flight after the Requirement 1 inspection. For Requirement 3 - Within 3 months after the effective date of this Directive, This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 29 November 2001.
Background: Transport Canada has advised that a complete loss of both ignition systems occurred on a DHC-3 Otter when the lock wire hole in the ignition connector plug on the firewall broke out, allowing the plug to vibrate loose. A maintenance safety feature grounds out both magneto systems through a spring-loaded safety pin incorporated into the Cannon plug.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AD/DHC-3/37 (Continued)
This Directive requires a one time inspection of the ignition connector plug to detect any discrepancies and, if necessary, their rectification. The Directive also requires amendment of the Maintenance Manual.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 17 October 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 7 November 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. This legislation establishes a regulatory framework for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft and related products. One such regulation is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/DHC-3/37 issued in December 2001. This directive was introduced in response to a safety issue identified by Transport Canada involving the DHC-3 Otter series aeroplanes powered by radial engines, specifically concerning the firewall ignition plug. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address the risk of complete loss of ignition systems due to a broken lock wire hole in the ignition connector plug. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate corrective actions to ensure the safe operation of these aircraft, including a visual inspection and replacement of damaged parts, and to incorporate maintenance manual updates into the aircraft's inspection schedule.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies to all Model DHC-3 aeroplanes powered by radial engines. The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/DHC-3/37, issued in December 2001, mandates specific actions to address an unsafe condition identified with the magneto cannon plug. The requirement entails performing a visual inspection of the firewall ignition plug and receptacle for proper lock wiring and security, replacing any damaged parts detected during the inspection, and incorporating a specific maintenance manual revision into the aircraft's periodic inspection schedule. This AD ensures adherence to the safety instructions outlined in Bombardier Aerospace de Havilland Otter Alert Service Bulletin A3/53, Revision ‘A’ dated 30 August 2001, and Maintenance Manual PSM 1-3-2 Temporary Revision TR14, dated 24 August 2001. Compliance deadlines are set for each requirement, with the directive becoming effective on 29 November 2001.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), specifically under PART 39 - 105, outlines a set of Airworthiness Directives aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft. One such directive, AD/DHC-3/37, pertains to all Model DHC-3 aeroplanes powered by radial engines (subreg. 39.1(1)). This directive mandates certain actions to address a safety issue identified with the firewall ignition plug and receptacle of these aircraft. Firstly, operators must perform a visual inspection of the firewall ignition plug and receptacle for proper lock wiring and security in accordance with Bombardier Aerospace's Accomplishment Instructions de Havilland Otter Alert Service Bulletin A3/53, Revision ‘A’ dated 30 August 2001. Secondly, any damaged parts detected during this inspection must be replaced immediately. Thirdly, Maintenance Manual PSM 1-3-2 Temporary Revision TR14, dated 24 August 2001, must be incorporated into the aircraft’s periodic inspection schedule.
The directive places several obligations on the operators and maintenance personnel of DHC-3 aeroplanes. They must ensure that the visual inspection of the firewall ignition plug and receptacle is conducted meticulously within the stipulated timeframe. Any detected damage must be rectified promptly to maintain airworthiness. Additionally, the incorporation of the Temporary Revision TR14 into the maintenance schedule is mandatory and must be completed within three months of the directive's effective date. Compliance with these requirements ensures that the aircraft remains safe and airworthy, mitigating the risk of complete loss of both ignition systems.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive may result in serious safety risks. Although the specific penalties are not outlined in the directive, non-compliance generally leads to regulatory action by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The consequences may include fines, suspension of the aircraft’s operating certificate, or other enforcement actions. The severity of these consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the requirements set forth in the directive to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.