COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
DHC-6 (Twin Otter) Series Aeroplanes
AD/DHC-6/30 Air Conditioning Compartment - Modification 10/71
Applicability: All models with S/Nos. 1 to 329 and fitted with a JB Systems Series 1000 airconditioner.
Document: De Havilland of Canada SB 6/280.
Compliance: Disconnect electrical power to airconditioner before further flight and until embodiment of additional sealing in accordance with SB 6/280.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, were established to regulate and ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. This legislation, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), aims to provide a comprehensive regulatory framework that governs various aspects of civil aviation operations, including aircraft design, manufacture, maintenance, and operation. One specific legislative instrument, F2006B09118, addresses airworthiness directives for DHC-6 (Twin Otter) Series Aeroplanes. This instrument was introduced to address safety issues concerning the air conditioning compartment of these aircraft, specifically for models with serial numbers 1 to 329 fitted with a JB Systems Series 1000 air conditioner. The directive mandates that electrical power to the air conditioner be disconnected before further flight until additional sealing is implemented as per the specified document, De Havilland of Canada SB 6/280. The policy objective is to ensure the airworthiness and safety of these aircraft by mitigating potential risks associated with the air conditioning system.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, encompass a comprehensive framework designed to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, outlines mandatory compliance requirements for specific aircraft models and components. One such directive, AD/DHC-6/30, applies to all DHC-6 (Twin Otter) Series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 329 that are equipped with a JB Systems Series 1000 air conditioner. This directive mandates that electrical power to the air conditioner be disconnected before any further flight until the aircraft's air conditioning compartment is modified to embody additional sealing as specified in De Havilland of Canada Service Bulletin 6/280. The directive's scope is confined to the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby ensuring a uniform approach to the safety and operational standards of the specified aircraft within the national airspace. The regulations do not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, thereby encompassing all applicable aircraft within the defined parameters. Additionally, the application of these directives may be extended or further defined through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, Section 105, address the airworthiness directives for specific aircraft models, including the DHC-6 (Twin Otter) Series Aeroplanes. Specifically, Airworthiness Directive (AD) DHC-6/30 pertains to the air conditioning compartment modification (10/71). This directive applies to all DHC-6 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 329 that are equipped with a JB Systems Series 1000 air conditioner (Section 10/71). The directive mandates compliance with De Havilland of Canada Service Bulletin (SB) 6/280, which includes a critical instruction to disconnect the electrical power to the air conditioner before any further flight until additional sealing is implemented as per SB 6/280.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators of the affected DHC-6 aircraft must ensure that the electrical power to the air conditioner is disconnected before any flight and must maintain this disconnection until the additional sealing specified in SB 6/280 is completed. This requirement aims to prevent potential safety issues related to the air conditioning system. Additionally, operators must ensure that all maintenance and modifications are performed in accordance with the detailed instructions provided in the SB, which includes the precise methods for implementing the required sealing.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD DHC-6/30 can result in significant consequences. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly detail penalties for non-compliance with this specific airworthiness directive, general provisions within the Civil Aviation Act 1988 may apply. Non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential criminal charges, depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety. Additionally, operators found in violation of airworthiness directives may face operational restrictions or be subject to further scrutiny by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The seriousness of such breaches underscores the importance of adhering to these safety mandates to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft and the safety of all persons on board.