Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, address various aspects of civil aviation safety within the country. The legislation includes specific Airworthiness Directives, such as AD/DHC-6/37, which targets the DHC-6 (Twin Otter) series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address potential safety issues related to the attachment rivets of the side seat rails in certain Twin Otter models, ensuring that these aircraft meet the required safety standards. The policy objective behind this directive is to mandate inspections and necessary modifications to these specific aircraft to mitigate any risks associated with the identified issue, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety. The regulations are overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which enforces compliance to maintain the integrity of Australia's civil aviation system.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, govern the airworthiness directives for DHC-6 (Twin Otter) series aeroplanes, including the requirement for inspecting and modifying side seat rail attachments and rivets. This directive applies to all DHC-6 Twin Otter models with specific serial numbers (S/Nos. 136 to 350, 353, 356, 360 to 366 and 368). The primary objective of this legislation is to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating inspections and modifications to the side seat rail attachments, as outlined in De Havilland of Canada Service Bulletin No. 6/302.12/73. The compliance timeline is determined by the orientation of the seats in the aircraft, with side-facing seats requiring compliance within 200 hours after 1 January 1974 or before 1 April 1974, and forward or aft-facing seats requiring compliance within 1200 hours after 1 January 1974 or before 1 January 1975. This directive applies nationally and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, mandate the adherence to a schedule of airworthiness directives concerning the DHC-6 (Twin Otter) series aeroplanes, with a particular focus on AD/DHC-6/37 (Section 105). This directive pertains to the inspection and modification of side seat rail attachments, particularly the rivets. According to the regulations, the directive applies to all models of the DHC-6 series with specific serial numbers ranging from 136 to 350, 353, 356, 360 to 366, and 368 (Section 105(1)). The compliance timeframes are set out clearly: for aeroplanes equipped with side-facing seats, the inspection and necessary modifications must be completed within 200 hours of time in service after 1 January 1974, or before 1 April 1974, whichever comes first. For aeroplanes configured with forward or aft-facing seats, the compliance window extends to within 1200 hours of time in service after 1 January 1974, but must be completed before 1 January 1975 (Section 105(2)). Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, the entities governed by this directive are required to ensure that the specified inspections and modifications are carried out as per the stipulated timelines. This includes verifying the integrity of the side seat rail attachments, particularly the rivets, and making any necessary modifications to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aeroplanes. The directive references De Havilland of Canada Service Bulletin No. 6/302.12/73, which provides detailed guidance on the inspection and modification procedures (Section 105(3)). The regulations impose a clear obligation on the operators and maintainers of the affected aeroplanes to adhere to these requirements strictly. Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in AD/DHC-6/37 may result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations stipulate that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions, including the potential grounding of the affected aeroplanes until the required modifications are made. Civil penalties can be imposed for non-compliance, and in severe cases, criminal charges may be brought against individuals or corporations responsible for the oversight of the aeroplanes. The maximum penalties for such breaches can include substantial fines and, in the case of criminal proceedings, imprisonment. It is imperative that all parties adhere to the stipulated timelines and procedures to avoid these severe repercussions (Section 105(4)).