AD/DHC-6/5 - Fuselage Frame and Wing Strut - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, were designed to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework governing civil aviation within Australia. One of the specific legislative instruments under this regulation is the Airworthiness Directive AD/DHC-6/5 concerning DHC-6 (Twin Otter) Series Aeroplanes, which was introduced to address safety concerns related to the fuselage frame and wing strut of certain models. The directive aims to ensure that these aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to operate within Australian airspace, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation. This legislative instrument mandates specific modifications to the affected aircraft models to mitigate potential risks, as outlined in the directive, and ensures compliance by a specified deadline.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the airworthiness directives for various aircraft types, including the DHC-6 (Twin Otter) series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument sets out mandatory modifications and compliance standards to ensure the safety of these aircraft. For the DHC-6 series with specific serial numbers, such as those from 2 to 13, 15 to 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, and 31, the regulations require modifications to the fuselage frame and wing strut. These modifications must be completed before 1 July 1968 as per De Havilland of Canada Mod. Bulletin 6/1063. The scope of this directive is limited to the specified serial numbers and does not extend to other models or serial numbers of the DHC-6 series. The application of these regulations is under the purview of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniformity in aviation safety standards. The legislation does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions but is enforced through subordinate instruments that may further detail the compliance requirements and enforcement mechanisms.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) under PART 39 - 105 (section (8/67)) specify the requirements for the modification of the fuselage frame and wing strut of DHC-6 (Twin Otter) Series aeroplanes. The applicability of these directives is limited to specific serial numbers (S/Nos. 2 to 13, 15 to 22, 24, 26, 27, 29 and 31). Compliance with these directives must be achieved before 1 July 1968 as outlined in the De Havilland of Canada Modification Bulletin 6/1063. The key requirement here is that the specified models of the Twin Otter aeroplanes must undergo necessary modifications to the fuselage frame and wing strut to ensure they meet the set safety standards. The obligations imposed by these regulations are significant for the operators and maintainers of the affected aircraft. They must ensure that the modifications outlined in the De Havilland of Canada Mod. Bulletin 6/1063 are completed before the specified compliance date. This involves thorough inspection, repair, or replacement of the fuselage frame and wing strut as required by the bulletin. The responsibility lies with the aircraft owner or operator to ensure that the modifications are carried out by qualified personnel and that all work is documented and approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 include provisions for both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties can include fines and other monetary sanctions. Under certain circumstances, non-compliance may also lead to criminal charges, where individuals or companies can face imprisonment. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the breach and the specific regulations that have been contravened. For instance, operating an aircraft that does not comply with these airworthiness directives can result in significant fines and potential criminal charges for those responsible for the aircraft.