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
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/DHC-8/54 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/DHC-8/54
Amdt 2
Fuselage Cable Trough 10/2000
Applicability: DHC-8 aeroplanes Models 102, 103, 106, 201, 202, 301, 311, 314 and 315 with serial
numbers 3 through 540 inclusive, excluding serial number 462.
Requirement: Inspect the wiring in the underfloor cable trough and incorporate Bombardier Modification 8/2705 in accordance with the following Bombardier Inc de Havilland Dash 8 Service Bulletins:
Model | Service Bulletin | Date of Issue |
102, 103, 106, 201 and 202 | 8-53-66 and 8-53-80 | 27 March 1998 and 22 December 1999 |
301, 311, 314 and 315 | 8-53-66 | 27 March 1998 |
Note: Transport Canada AD CF-98-08 R2 refers.
Compliance: The compliance remains unchanged as ‘At the next ‘C’ check, but no later than 36 months after 18 June 1998 (the effective date of the original issue of this Directive)’.
This Amendment becomes effective on 5 October 2000.
Background: A DHC-8 aeroplane experienced an uncommanded engine shut-down in flight due to a short circuit between adjacent wires located in the left underfloor cable trough. The short circuit resulted in a 28 volt signal being applied to the fuel shut-off valve. An investigation revealed that the short circuit was caused by chafing of wires on sharp edges on the cherrymax rivets in the cable trough.
This Directive requires inspection of the wiring in the underfloor cable trough together with the installation of new cable tie-mounts in the cable trough and sealing rivets to prevent chafing of wires.
Amendment 1 increased the serial number range of the affected aeroplanes.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
This amendment addresses the omission of a section of the underfloor cable trough in the instructions for inspecting the wires and for incorporating Modification 8/2705 in model 102, 103, 106, 201 and 202 aeroplanes.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 18 June 1998. Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 3 December 1998.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 25 August 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 6 September 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation within the country. Part 39 of these regulations provides for the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address identified safety issues. The problem this legislation addresses includes the need to provide clear and enforceable directives to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft, ensuring they meet safety standards and reducing the risk of accidents due to mechanical failures. This specific Airworthiness Directive, AD/DHC-8/54 Amdt 2, focuses on the Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series aeroplanes, particularly addressing an issue of short circuits in the underfloor cable trough leading to engine shut-downs. The directive mandates inspections and modifications to prevent such incidents, reflecting the policy objective of enhancing aviation safety through regulatory compliance and timely corrective actions.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandates the application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This particular AD, AD/DHC-8/54 Amdt 2, applies to specific models of Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series aeroplanes, namely Models 102, 103, 106, 201, 202, 301, 311, 314 and 315, within certain serial number ranges, excluding serial number 462. The directive requires the inspection of wiring in the underfloor cable trough and the incorporation of Bombardier Modification 8/2705, in accordance with specified Bombardier Inc de Havilland Dash 8 Service Bulletins, to address an unsafe condition identified in the fleet. Compliance with the directive must occur at the next ‘C’ check, but no later than 36 months after the effective date of 18 June 1998, and the amendment becomes effective from 5 October 2000. This AD reflects the Commonwealth’s commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation, extending its jurisdictional reach to all operators of the affected aircraft within Australia.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/DHC-8/54 Amdt 2 issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 targets the Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series aeroplanes, specifically models 102, 103, 106, 201, 202, 301, 311, 314, and 315 with serial numbers ranging from 3 through 540, excluding serial number 462. This directive mandates that the wiring in the underfloor cable trough must be inspected and modified to prevent any potential short circuits. The required modifications include the incorporation of Bombardier Modification 8/2705, as outlined in specific Bombardier Inc de Havilland Dash 8 Service Bulletins. The inspection and modification must be carried out in accordance with the relevant service bulletins, with different bulletins applying to different models of the DHC-8 aeroplanes.
The AD imposes several obligations on the operators and maintainers of the affected aircraft. Firstly, they must ensure that the wiring in the underfloor cable trough is inspected as per the specified service bulletins. Secondly, they must incorporate the Bombardier Modification 8/2705 to address any identified issues with the wiring and to prevent any chafing of wires on sharp edges of the cherrymax rivets. This includes installing new cable tie-mounts in the cable trough and sealing rivets. Additionally, operators and maintainers must ensure that these actions are completed at the next 'C' check, but no later than 36 months after the effective date of the original AD, which was 18 June 1998.
Failure to comply with the AD AD/DHC-8/54 Amdt 2 can result in significant consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the directive, under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with an AD can lead to civil penalties, including fines, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance results in an accident or incident. The severity of the penalties can vary based on the extent of non-compliance and its impact on air safety. The AD also references Transport Canada AD CF-98-08 R2, indicating that similar requirements and consequences may apply across jurisdictions to ensure uniform safety standards in the aviation industry.