COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes
AD/DHC-8/3 Propeller Autofeather System 2/89
Applicability: All DHC-8-100 series aeroplanes serial numbers 1 through 113 inclusive. Requirement: Action in accordance with Boeing Canada de Havilland Division SB 8-61-12
Revision A.
Note: Transport Canada AD CF-88-12R2 and FAA AD 88-12-51 R1 refer.
Compliance: Prior to 23 March 1989.
Background: Transport Canada have advised that recent incidents have occurred where the propeller has inadvertently unfeathered following activation of the autofeather system. This could result in loss of altitude in critical flight regimes.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, serve as the regulatory framework governing civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the regulations pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, which are essential in maintaining the safety standards of aircraft operating in Australia. This legislative instrument, F2006B09185, was introduced to address a safety concern identified with the Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes, particularly regarding the propeller autofeather system. The policy objective behind this regulation is to ensure that all applicable aircraft meet specific safety standards to prevent incidents such as inadvertent propeller unfeathering, which could potentially lead to loss of altitude and pose significant risks during critical flight regimes. This airworthiness directive applies to all DHC-8-100 series aeroplanes with serial numbers 1 through 113 inclusive, requiring compliance with the Boeing Canada de Havilland Division Service Bulletin 8-61-12 Revision A, in alignment with similar directives issued by Transport Canada and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, applies to all DHC-8-100 series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 1 through 113 inclusive, establishing mandatory requirements for the propeller autofeather system of Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes. The legislation is aimed at ensuring the safety and reliability of these aircraft by addressing incidents where the propeller has inadvertently unfeathered following the activation of the autofeather system, a condition that could potentially lead to a loss of altitude in critical flight regimes. This regulation is pertinent to operators, maintenance personnel, and other entities involved in the operation and upkeep of the specified DHC-8 aeroplanes, mandating compliance with Boeing Canada de Havilland Division SB 8-61-12 Revision A. Additionally, the legislation references similar directives issued by Transport Canada (AD CF-88-12R2) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA AD 88-12-51 R1), indicating a coordinated international effort to address the identified safety issue. The scope of the Act is limited to the specified DHC-8 series aeroplanes, and compliance must be achieved before 23 March 1989. The application of these regulations is governed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), ensuring that the safety directives are uniformly enforced across the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, focus on ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft, including the Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 series aeroplanes. This specific regulation, AD/DHC-8/3, targets the propeller autofeather system of DHC-8-100 series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 1 to 113. The directive mandates compliance with Boeing Canada de Havilland Division Service Bulletin 8-61-12 Revision A, referencing Transport Canada's AD CF-88-12R2 and the FAA's AD 88-12-51 R1. These references underscore the international collaboration in addressing safety concerns related to the autofeather system.
The primary requirement of this regulation is that all applicable DHC-8-100 series aeroplanes must adhere to the action specified in Boeing Canada de Havilland Division SB 8-61-12 Revision A. This directive was issued to mitigate incidents where the propeller unfeathered inadvertently after the activation of the autofeather system, potentially leading to a loss of altitude during critical flight phases. Compliance with these safety directives is essential to prevent such incidents and ensure the continued safe operation of the aircraft.
Operators of the affected DHC-8-100 series aeroplanes must ensure that the necessary actions outlined in the referenced service bulletin are completed before 23 March 1989. This includes conducting thorough checks and, if necessary, implementing the recommended modifications or repairs to the propeller autofeather system. Non-compliance with these directives could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding and other regulatory actions.
Failure to adhere to the requirements set forth in AD/DHC-8/3 can result in serious consequences. Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may impose penalties, including fines and potential prosecution, for non-compliance. Additionally, the operators may face operational disruptions and increased scrutiny from regulatory authorities. The severity of the penalties underscores the importance of strict adherence to these safety directives to prevent incidents that could endanger flight safety and public safety at large.