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-8/48
Amdt 2
Provision of Separate Instrument Grounds 8/97
Applicability: de Havilland Inc. DHC-8, Models 102, 103, 106, 201, 202, 301, 311, 314 and 315,
serial numbers 3 to 483.
Requirement: Install de Havilland modification 8/2710 in accordance with de Havilland Alert Service Bulletin A8-34-117, Revision C, dated 14 February 1997.
Note: Transport Canada AD CF-97-01R1 refers.
Compliance: Within 400 hours time in service after 17 July 1997.
This airworthiness directive becomes effective on 17 July 1997.
Background: This amendment renames the AD to more clearly identify the nature of the directive. Transport Canada advises that simultaneous failures of both the pilot’s and co-pilot’s Attitude and Heading Reference System have occurred due to a faulty terminal block which provides a common ground connection. The modification details the provision of separate grounds for each instrument. This amendment increases the application of the requirement in accordance with that mandated by Transport Canada.
Amendment 1 of this airworthiness directive became effective on 24 April 1997.
The original issue of this airworthiness directive became effective on 27 March 1997.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, introduced by the Parliament of Australia, address the safety and operational standards of civil aviation. This legislative instrument, F2006B09203, targets the airworthiness of Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directives. The policy objective behind these regulations is to ensure the safety of passengers and crew by mandating specific modifications to aircraft components, thus preventing potential failures that could compromise flight safety. This particular amendment, effective from 17 July 1997, aims to address issues identified with the Attitude and Heading Reference System of certain DHC-8 models by requiring the installation of a modification to provide separate instrument grounds, thereby avoiding common ground faults that could lead to simultaneous system failures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the installation of de Havilland modification 8/2710 for certain Bombardier (de Havilland) DHC-8 series aeroplanes. This regulation applies to the DHC-8 models 102, 103, 106, 201, 202, 301, 311, 314, and 315, covering serial numbers from 3 to 483. The directive requires compliance with the modification within 400 hours of time in service following the directive's effective date of 17 July 1997. This airworthiness directive aims to address the risk of simultaneous failures in the Attitude and Heading Reference System due to a faulty terminal block, by installing separate instrument grounds as detailed in de Havilland Alert Service Bulletin A8-34-117, Revision C, dated 14 February 1997. The requirement aligns with Transport Canada AD CF-97-01R1. This regulation extends across the Commonwealth, applying to all relevant aircraft operating within Australian jurisdiction, with no specific exclusions noted within the text of this directive.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, includes an airworthiness directive for Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes, as detailed in AD/DHC-8/48 Amendment 2. This directive mandates that certain de Havilland Inc. DHC-8 models (102, 103, 106, 201, 202, 301, 311, 314, and 315) with serial numbers ranging from 3 to 483 must install de Havilland modification 8/2710, following the instructions in de Havilland Alert Service Bulletin A8-34-117, Revision C, dated 14 February 1997. This directive became effective on 17 July 1997, and compliance is required within 400 hours of time in service after this date.
The directive imposes specific obligations on the operators of these aircraft. Primarily, it requires the installation of a modification to address a safety issue identified by Transport Canada. This modification involves providing separate ground connections for the pilot’s and co-pilot’s Attitude and Heading Reference Systems to prevent simultaneous failures. Operators must adhere to the prescribed timeframe for compliance to ensure the safety and airworthiness of their aircraft.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this airworthiness directive may result in serious safety implications. While specific penalties are not outlined in the directive, non-compliance could potentially lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Such actions might include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, and other regulatory penalties. The seriousness of the directive's requirements underscores the importance of strict adherence to the stipulated modifications and timelines.
In summary, the AD/DHC-8/48 Amendment 2 is a critical directive aimed at enhancing the safety of specific Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes by requiring a specific modification to be installed within a defined timeframe. Non-compliance with this directive could lead to severe regulatory consequences, emphasising the importance of adhering to the outlined safety measures.