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-8/35
Amdt 1
Engine Nacelle 6/95
Applicability: Model DHC-8 Series 100 and 300 aircraft, with serial numbers as indicated in the Requirement section of this Directive.
Requirement: 1. For aircraft serial numbers 3 through 137, install Modification 8/1126 (Nacelles- Sealing of Lower Cowl Firewall). De Havilland SB 8-54-12 refers.
2. For aircraft serial numbers 3 through 331, install Modification 8/1885 (Nacelle- Upper Structure Access Panel Sealing). De Havilland SB 8-54-25 refers.
3. For aircraft serial numbers 3 through 332, install Modification 8/1887 (Nacelles/Pylons - Firewall - Improvements to Fireproof and Leakproof Integrity). De Havilland SB 8-54-30 Revision B refers.
4. For aircraft serial numbers 3 through 357, install Modification 8/1966 (Nacelles/Pylons - Firewall - Addition of Sealant). De Havilland SB 8-54-31 refers.
5. For aircraft serial numbers 3 through 369, install Modification 8/2001 (Nacelles/Pylons - Cowl Door Seal Improvement). De Havilland SB 8-71-19 Revision B refers.
Note: Transport Canada AD CF-94-10R1 refers.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, prior to 31 August 1995.
Background: Three incidents of DHC-8 nacelle fuel leaks have resulted in an explosive ignition with subsequent damage to the engine cowling. Transport Canada requires incorporation of certain modifications which are designed to minimise the chance of a nacelle fire, through better sealing in the engine nacelle area. Amendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the related Transport Canada AD which extends the applicability and references a later revision of the document for Requirement 5.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted in 1998, provide the legal framework for civil aviation safety in Australia. Part 39, specifically pertaining to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes regulations for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft. One such amendment, AD/DHC-8/35 Amendment 1, was introduced to address issues related to fuel leaks in the engine nacelles of Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series aeroplanes, which could lead to explosive ignitions and engine damage. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, acting under the authority of the Australian Parliament, issued this amendment to ensure compliance with safety standards and to incorporate modifications that mitigate the risk of nacelle fires by improving sealing integrity. This was in response to incidents reported by Transport Canada, which necessitated certain modifications to enhance safety and was subsequently extended to cover more aircraft serial numbers.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series aeroplanes, with a particular focus on the engine nacelle safety as outlined in Airworthiness Directive AD/DHC-8/35 Amendment 1. This directive mandates specific modifications to be implemented on DHC-8 Series 100 and 300 aircraft within certain serial number ranges. The directive requires the installation of modifications to improve sealing and fireproof integrity in the engine nacelles to prevent fuel leaks and subsequent ignitions. Compliance with these modifications is mandatory for aircraft serial numbers 3 through 369 and must be completed prior to 31 August 1995. This regulation extends to operators and owners of DHC-8 Series aircraft within the specified serial number ranges and applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive incorporates Transport Canada's amendments and references to ensure alignment with international safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the Airworthiness Directives (AD) for Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes. The relevant AD/DHC-8/35 Amendment 1 focuses on engine nacelle modifications to prevent fuel leaks and the associated risk of fire (section 1). This directive applies to DHC-8 Series 100 and 300 aircraft with specific serial numbers, as detailed in the directive (section 2). The directive mandates several modifications to the engine nacelles for the specified serial numbers, including sealing improvements and structural enhancements to prevent leaks and ensure fireproof integrity (section 3).
The obligations imposed by the AD/DHC-8/35 Amendment 1 require that aircraft within the specified serial number range undergo the listed modifications before a certain date. Operators of affected aircraft must ensure that the modifications are completed by 31 August 1995 if they have not already been performed. These modifications are critical for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring safety in operation. The directive references relevant Service Bulletins and Transport Canada AD CF-94-10R1, emphasising the importance of compliance with these modifications to address known safety issues (section 4).
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/DHC-8/35 Amendment 1 may result in serious safety hazards, including the risk of engine fire due to fuel leaks. While the Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance with ADs, failure to maintain airworthiness standards can lead to severe consequences. These can include grounding of the aircraft, enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), and potential criminal charges for operators or maintenance personnel responsible for ensuring compliance. The safety of passengers and crew, as well as the overall integrity of the aviation system, depends on strict adherence to these directives (section 5).