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-8/56 Main Landing Gear Uplock Actuator Modification 12/98
Applicability: All DHC 8 aircraft, serial numbers 3 through 339, without Bombardier Modification 8/1828 incorporated.
Requirements: Unless previously accomplished, install Bombardier Modification 8/1828 (Landing Gear - Redesigned Main Gear Uplock Actuator) on both left and right main landing gear in accordance with the instructions in Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-32-98, Revision C, dated 31 July 1998.
Note: Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-98-26 dated 26 August 1998 refers.
Compliance: Within 12 months of the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 5 November 1998.
Background: Operators are reporting incidents of main landing gears failing to extend when a down selection is made. The cause is attributed to failure of the gear uplock unit to disengage. The alternate extension system must then be used to extend the landing gear. This modification is introduced to improve the reliability of the gear uplock and minimise the risk of experiencing landing gear hang up.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, part of Australia's broader aviation safety framework, were enacted to ensure the safety of air travel by establishing comprehensive regulatory standards. This legislation was introduced by the Australian Parliament and is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 addresses Airworthiness Directives, which are binding orders aimed at correcting unsafe conditions on civil aircraft. The policy objective behind these directives is to maintain the highest safety standards and to ensure the continued airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australian airspace. One such directive, AD/DHC-8/56, pertains to the Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes, requiring modifications to the main landing gear uplock actuator to address incidents where the landing gear failed to extend properly during flight. This directive mandates the installation of Bombardier Modification 8/1828 to enhance the reliability of the gear uplock and reduce the risk of landing gear malfunctions.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, apply to all operators of Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 3 to 339 that have not yet incorporated Bombardier Modification 8/1828. This legislation, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandates that these aircraft must have the Redesigned Main Gear Uplock Actuator installed in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-32-98, Revision C, dated 31 July 1998, within 12 months from the directive's effective date of 5 November 1998. The directive responds to incidents where the main landing gears have failed to extend due to the gear uplock unit's failure to disengage, necessitating the use of the alternate extension system. The modification aims to enhance the reliability of the gear uplock and reduce the risk of landing gear hang-ups. The directive is applicable nationally within Australia, and compliance with this directive is essential to maintaining the airworthiness of the specified DHC-8 aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandate that all operators of Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 series aeroplanes, with serial numbers ranging from 3 to 339, must comply with the Airworthiness Directive AD/DHC-8/56. This directive requires the installation of Bombardier Modification 8/1828 on the main landing gear uplock actuators for both the left and right main landing gears (section 39.105). This modification must be carried out in accordance with the instructions detailed in Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-32-98, Revision C, dated 31 July 1998. The directive references Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-98-26 dated 26 August 1998, which further supports the necessity of this modification.
Operators of the specified DHC-8 aircraft must ensure that the modification is implemented within 12 months from the effective date of the directive, which is 5 November 1998. Failure to comply with this requirement could lead to operational risks, as the primary concern addressed by this directive is the prevention of main landing gears failing to extend during down selection, due to the failure of the gear uplock unit to disengage. The directive aims to improve the reliability of the gear uplock and reduce the risk of landing gear hang-ups, which can have serious safety implications.
Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, the Act imposes clear obligations on the operators of the affected aircraft. These obligations include conducting a thorough inspection of the aircraft to confirm that they fall within the serial number range specified in the directive, and subsequently ensuring that the Bombardier Modification 8/1828 is installed as per the stipulated guidelines. Operators must maintain detailed records of the modification process and ensure that the aircraft are returned to service only after successful completion and verification of the modification.
Non-compliance with the Airworthiness Directive AD/DHC-8/56 may result in serious legal and operational consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, failure to adhere to the requirements of this directive can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The potential penalties for non-compliance include fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are made. The severity of the penalties can vary, but the overarching goal is to ensure that all operators take the necessary steps to enhance the safety and airworthiness of their aircraft.