AD/DHC-6/15 Amdt 1 - Wing Strut Jo-Bolt - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B09102, focus on the critical area of ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft within Australia. Enacted by the Parliament of Australia, this legislation aims to address safety concerns and compliance with international standards for civil aviation. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 within the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, ensuring that aircraft maintain their airworthiness through specific maintenance and inspection requirements. The policy objective of these regulations is to mitigate risks associated with aviation safety, thereby protecting the public and promoting confidence in the civil aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, pertains to the airworthiness of DHC-6 (Twin Otter) series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument mandates compliance with particular airworthiness directives for the specified aircraft models, ensuring that they meet necessary safety standards. The directive applies to all DHC-6 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 170, demanding adherence to the detailed inspection requirements for the wing strut jo-bolt as outlined in De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Service Bulletin No. 6/166, Revision B. This directive is a pivotal part of the regulatory framework governing civil aviation safety in Australia, ensuring that these aircraft continue to operate within safe parameters. While the directive is binding for the specified models within its serial number range, its application and enforcement are overseen by CASA, reflecting the regulatory authority's commitment to maintaining high standards of aviation safety across the Commonwealth of Australia.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, detail a number of airworthiness directives that apply to various types of aircraft, including the DHC-6 (Twin Otter) Series Aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/DHC-6/15 Amendment 1, focuses on the inspection of the wing strut jo-bolt for all models with serial numbers from 1 to 170. This directive mandates that the inspection be carried out as detailed in the requirement document, which, in this case, is De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Service Bulletin No. 6/166, Revision B (paragraph 1/83). The directive was revised to align with the changes in the requirement document. Under these regulations, the primary obligation for the operators of DHC-6 (Twin Otter) Series Aeroplanes is to ensure that the specified inspection of the wing strut jo-bolt is conducted in accordance with the outlined procedures. Operators must maintain compliance with the directive by referring to the service bulletin and executing the required checks and maintenance to certify that the aircraft remains airworthy. Failure to comply with these directives can lead to serious safety issues, as the wing strut jo-bolt is a critical component of the aircraft's structure. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives set forth in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in significant legal and safety consequences. While specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the excerpt provided, general provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations typically include both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties can include fines, while criminal penalties may involve imprisonment, reflecting the severity of non-compliance with safety directives. The exact penalties would depend on the specific breach and the jurisdiction in which it occurs, but the overarching principle is that non-compliance with airworthiness directives is taken very seriously to ensure the safety of all persons on board and on the ground.