AD/DHC-6/13 - Flap Control Push Rod Assembly - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, encompass a wide range of provisions governing the safety and operation of aircraft in Australian airspace. One specific legislative instrument, F2006B09100, pertains to airworthiness directives for DHC-6 (Twin Otter) series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Australian Government, this regulation was introduced to ensure the safety and reliability of DHC-6 aircraft through the enforcement of necessary modifications and compliance standards. The policy objective behind this directive is to mitigate the risk of accidents associated with the flap control push rod assembly in certain Twin Otter models by mandating specific modifications as outlined in De Havilland Canada Mod. Bulletin No. 6/1085. This directive applies to all models with serial numbers 1 to 105 that have not already been modified by the aforementioned bulletin, with compliance required before 1 January 1969.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all DHC-6 (Twin Otter) series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 105 that have not been modified in accordance with De Havilland Canada Modification Bulletin No. 6/1085. This legislative instrument is concerned with ensuring that the flap control push rod assembly meets certain airworthiness standards. The regulations mandate modifications to ensure compliance with safety directives, specifically addressing issues identified before 1 January 1969. These regulations apply at a national level, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, thereby establishing a uniform standard across all states and territories. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the scope of this particular directive; all specified aircraft must adhere to the prescribed modifications to maintain their airworthiness certification. Subordinate instruments may further detail the specific procedures and compliance requirements to ensure the effective implementation of these safety measures.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, which govern the safety standards of civil aircraft. Section 39.105 of the Regulations refers to the specific airworthiness directive for the DHC-6 (Twin Otter) Series Aeroplanes, outlined in AD/DHC-6/13. This directive mandates modifications to the flap control push rod assembly, as detailed in De Havilland Canada Modification Bulletin No. 6/1085. The directive applies to all models with serial numbers from 1 to 105 that have not been previously modified according to the mentioned bulletin. Compliance with this directive is required before 1 January 1969. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, the obligations imposed on the relevant parties include ensuring that the specified modifications to the flap control push rod assembly are completed and verified by an appropriately certified individual or entity. This involves detailed inspection, repair, or replacement as necessary, ensuring that all modifications align with the standards set out in De Havilland Canada Modification Bulletin No. 6/1085. Operators and owners of the affected aircraft must maintain comprehensive records of all modifications performed and ensure these records are readily available for inspection by CASA officials. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/DHC-6/13 may result in serious legal and safety consequences. Section 9.05 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 stipulates that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to substantial penalties. Civil penalties may include fines up to $21,000 for individuals and $105,000 for corporations, depending on the severity and frequency of the breach. In addition to financial penalties, non-compliance can result in the grounding of the affected aircraft, thereby affecting the operational capabilities of the airline and potentially leading to further safety hazards. Such breaches can also have criminal implications, resulting in prosecution and potential imprisonment for the responsible parties.