AD/DHC-6/3 - Airstair Door Safety Guard - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation. Within this legislation, Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives plays a critical role by specifying mandatory safety measures that aircraft operators must adhere to. One such directive, AD/DHC-6/3, pertains to the airstair door safety guard modification for DHC-6 (Twin Otter) Series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the safety concerns associated with airstair doors on these aircraft, ensuring that any potential risks are mitigated effectively. The policy objective behind this directive is to maintain high safety standards within the aviation industry, specifically targeting the prevention of accidents related to the airstair door mechanism. The directive requires compliance by all DHC-6 models with specific serial numbers, excluding certain ones, that are fitted with an airstair door. Compliance must be achieved before 1 September 1971, as per the guidelines outlined in De Havilland of Canada Mod. Bulletin 6/1068. This regulation underscores the importance of continuous safety assessments and the implementation of necessary modifications to safeguard passengers and crew.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addressing safety measures for specific aircraft models. In this instance, AD/DHC-6/3 focuses on the airstair door safety guard modification for DHC-6 (Twin Otter) Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to all models within the specified serial number range of 1 to 60, with the exclusion of serial numbers 25 and 30, provided these aircraft are equipped with an airstair door. The regulation mandates compliance with De Havilland of Canada's Modification Bulletin 6/1068 and requires that any modifications be completed before 1 September 1971. The jurisdictional reach of these regulations is national, enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia. The regulations do not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds beyond the specified serial numbers and the pre-1971 compliance date. The applicability of these directives can be extended or clarified through subordinate instruments issued under the Civil Aviation Act 1988.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/DHC-6/3, pertain to airworthiness directives for the DHC-6 (Twin Otter) Series Aeroplanes. Section 39-105 (1) specifies that all models with serial numbers 1 to 60, excluding numbers 25 and 30, which are fitted with an airstair door, must comply with the modifications outlined in De Havilland of Canada Mod. Bulletin 6/1068. This compliance must be achieved before 1 September 1971. The directive is intended to enhance the safety of the airstair door by implementing specific modifications. The obligations imposed by this regulation on the parties or entities it governs are clear. Operators of DHC-6 (Twin Otter) Series Aeroplanes must ensure that the specified modifications to the airstair door are completed by the set deadline. This involves reviewing the aircraft's serial number to confirm its applicability, obtaining the necessary modifications as detailed in the De Havilland of Canada Mod. Bulletin 6/1068, and ensuring that these modifications are implemented and documented properly. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, thereby preventing its operation until the modifications are satisfactorily completed. In terms of consequences for breach, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline potential offences and penalties for non-compliance with the airworthiness directives. Operators who fail to meet the requirements of section 39-105 (1) may face enforcement actions, which could include fines, penalties, or other legal consequences. While the exact penalties are not specified in the provided text, under general aviation regulations, non-compliance can lead to substantial financial penalties and potential criminal charges for those responsible for the oversight or operation of the non-compliant aircraft. Ensuring adherence to these directives is crucial to avoid such repercussions and to maintain the safety and legality of aviation operations.