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-6/42 Inboard Trailing Flap - Inspection and Modification 6/76
Applicability: All models with S/Nos. 1 to 510. Document: De Havilland of Canada SB No. 6/345. Compliance: As detailed in the requirement document.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Civil Aviation Amendment (Implementation of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation) Regulations 2006, provide a regulatory framework to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. This legislation was enacted to address the need for stringent safety standards and operational procedures to mitigate risks associated with civil aviation activities, aligning with international conventions and ensuring the highest safety standards. The objective of this legislation is to maintain and improve the safety of civil aviation operations through the establishment of comprehensive regulations and directives, including the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for specific aircraft models, such as the DHC-6 (Twin Otter) Series Aeroplanes. The ADs are implemented by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure compliance with safety standards and to address any identified safety issues. The policy objective is to safeguard the public and ensure the reliability and safety of civil aviation in Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the scope of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, specifically applies to all DHC-6 (Twin Otter) series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 510. This regulation mandates the inspection and modification of the inboard trailing flap of these aircraft, as outlined in the De Havilland of Canada Service Bulletin No. 6/345. Compliance with this directive is essential for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft, ensuring adherence to the specific requirements detailed in the referenced document. The regulation is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring a standardised approach to the maintenance and safety of the DHC-6 series aeroplanes within the national airspace.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contains detailed provisions regarding the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. One such directive, AD/DHC-6/42, pertains to De Havilland Canada DHC-6 (Twin Otter) series aeroplanes, focusing on the inboard trailing flap's inspection and modification (Section 6/76). This directive applies to all models with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 510. The directive references the De Havilland of Canada Service Bulletin No. 6/345 for compliance details.
Under this directive, operators and owners of affected aircraft must ensure that the inboard trailing flap is inspected and modified as specified in the referenced Service Bulletin. The requirement is for these inspections and modifications to be carried out to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Non-compliance with this directive could lead to significant safety risks, as the inboard trailing flap plays a crucial role in the aircraft's operational safety.
Failure to adhere to the provisions of this directive can result in serious consequences. CASA has the authority to take enforcement action against any entity found to be non-compliant. The potential penalties for non-compliance include fines and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are made. The maximum penalties for such offences can be substantial, reflecting the critical nature of airworthiness directives in maintaining safety standards in aviation.
In the event of a breach, CASA may also pursue legal action against the operator or owner of the aircraft. This could result in civil penalties, and in more severe cases, criminal charges. The penalties serve as a deterrent against non-compliance, highlighting the importance of adhering to airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the necessity for operators and owners to take the directive seriously and ensure all specified inspections and modifications are completed in a timely and effective manner.