Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which are a fundamental piece of Australian legislation governing civil aviation safety, were enacted to ensure that all aircraft operating within Australia meet the necessary safety standards. Specifically, Part 39, which includes Airworthiness Directives (AD), is designed to address safety issues and ensure the ongoing airworthiness of aircraft. These regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which acts as a delegate of the Commonwealth Government, tasked with enforcing compliance and ensuring public safety in the aviation sector. This legislative instrument addresses a particular safety issue with the DHC-3 Otter Series Aeroplanes by mandating modifications to the elevator servo tab to prevent structural failures and ensure the safety of flight operations. The policy objective is to mitigate risks associated with identified safety deficiencies, thus protecting both the aircraft and its occupants, as well as maintaining public confidence in aviation safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) pertains specifically to the DHC-3 (Otter) series aeroplanes that incorporate the 524085 BC Ltd (Viking Air Ltd) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA99-219, Issue 1 or 2. This AD mandates the incorporation of the Redesigned Elevator Tab, introduced by Viking Air Ltd. Retro Kit No. V3MK1151, in accordance with Viking Air Service Bulletin No. V3/01 dated 6 March 2002. The directive aims to address an identified unsafe condition related to the structural failure of the right-hand Elevator Servo Tab Balance Assembly, which can lead to vibration and flutter of the elevator servo tab. This AD is effective as of 20 March 2003 and requires compliance within 300 hours of time in service after this date or before 31 July 2003, whichever comes first. The AD applies to all relevant aircraft within the Australian jurisdiction, with the specified modifications necessary to ensure continued airworthiness.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, outlines the regulatory framework for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australia. Section 39.1(1) empowers the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address any unsafe conditions that may arise. AD/DHC-3/39 is a specific directive aimed at DHC-3 Otter series aircraft that have incorporated a particular Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) issued by 524085 BC Ltd (now known as Viking Air Ltd), specifically STC No. SA99-219, Issue 1 or 2. This AD mandates that these aircraft incorporate a redesigned elevator tab as a corrective measure for a previously identified issue. The requirement is detailed in the directive, which specifies the use of Retro Kit No. V3MK1151 and adherence to Viking Air Service Bulletin No. V3/01 dated 6 March 2002. This directive cross-references a similar directive issued by Transport Canada (AD CF-2002-48). The obligations imposed by AD/DHC-3/39 are clear and specific. Operators of DHC-3 Otter series aircraft that have incorporated STC SA99-219 must ensure that the redesign of the elevator tab is implemented within 300 hours of time in service after 20 March 2003 or before 31 July 2003, whichever comes first. This directive came into effect on 20 March 2003, and compliance is mandatory to ensure the safety and continued airworthiness of the aircraft. The directive's applicability is confined to those DHC-3 aircraft that have incorporated the aforementioned STC, and failure to comply with the directive could result in severe safety implications. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/DHC-3/39 may lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under section 91, impose penalties for non-compliance with ADs. The specific penalties for breaching these regulations are not detailed within this particular AD but generally, non-compliance could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential grounding of the aircraft. In severe cases, civil or criminal penalties may apply, including fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the non-compliance and its impact on aviation safety. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to safety mandates to prevent potential hazards and maintain the highest safety standards in aviation operations.