AD/DHC-6/1 - Upper Rudder Fairing - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), specifically under Part 39 - 105, established by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, addresses the need for maintaining airworthiness standards for aircraft operating in Australia. This legislative instrument, introduced to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft, was enacted to maintain and enhance the overall safety of civil aviation within the country. One such legislative measure within this framework is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the DHC-6 (Twin Otter) Series Aeroplanes, AD/DHC-6/1, which targets the modification of the upper rudder fairing. This directive applies to all models with serial numbers 1 to 6, 8, and 9, and requires compliance before 1 September 1971, as outlined in the De Havilland of Canada Modification Bulletin 6/1013. The overarching policy objective of these regulations is to ensure that all civil aircraft meet stringent safety standards, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and its directives for ensuring airworthiness of aircraft, particularly focusing on the DHC-6 (Twin Otter) series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all DHC-6 Twin Otter aeroplanes with serial numbers 1 to 6, 8, and 9, mandating modifications to the upper rudder fairing as outlined in De Havilland of Canada Modification Bulletin 6/1013. The directive must be complied with before 1 September 1971, indicating a clear temporal boundary for adherence. The scope of this regulation encompasses the entire Commonwealth of Australia, applying uniformly across the nation. It imposes specific requirements on aircraft manufacturers, operators, and maintenance providers to ensure compliance, thereby ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft models within Australia's airspace. The regulation extends its reach nationally and does not specify any exclusions or exemptions within the provided excerpt, but it is noted that further details may be elaborated upon in subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, establishes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for DHC-6 (Twin Otter) Series Aeroplanes. Specifically, AD/DHC-6/1 pertains to the modification of the upper rudder fairing for all models with specific serial numbers (Sections 5/67). This directive mandates that all aircraft falling under the specified serial numbers (1 to 6, 8, and 9) must comply with De Havilland of Canada's modification bulletin 6/1013. Compliance with these modifications must be achieved before 1 September 1971. The Act imposes a clear obligation on the owners and operators of the affected DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft to ensure that the upper rudder fairing is modified in accordance with the specifications outlined in De Havilland of Canada's bulletin 6/1013. This requirement is critical for maintaining the airworthiness of these aircraft, ensuring they meet safety standards set by CASA. Failure to comply with this directive can result in the aircraft being deemed non-compliant with airworthiness standards, potentially leading to operational restrictions or grounding of the aircraft. Failure to adhere to the requirements set out in AD/DHC-6/1 can lead to serious consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the text, CASA has the authority to enforce compliance through various means, including the issuance of compliance orders, fines, and potentially grounding the aircraft. The seriousness of non-compliance lies in its potential impact on flight safety, as the directive is designed to address specific safety concerns with the upper rudder fairing. CASA may also take further enforcement actions, such as legal proceedings, if the non-compliance is deemed severe enough to pose a significant risk to public safety.