Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) were enacted to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This legislative framework is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which issues airworthiness directives to address specific safety issues as needed. One such directive is AD/DHC-8/72, issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. This Airworthiness Directive was introduced to address an unsafe condition identified in certain Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series aeroplanes. Specifically, it was enacted following an incident where an uncommanded roll control disconnect occurred on landing in turbulent conditions due to a structural angle interfering with the clevis of the roll control disconnect cable. The directive mandates that the repair of the flight deck structural angle must be carried out in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-53-75, which includes the incorporation of Repair RD8-53-3620. The objective is to ensure the safe operation of the specified aircraft by rectifying the identified structural issue. This directive was made effective on 2 November 2000 and was required to be completed before 15 March 2002, unless already accomplished.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies specifically to Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 series aeroplanes, namely Models 102, 103, and 301 with serial numbers ranging from 003 to 146, excluding serial numbers 064 and 137. It is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically subregulation 39.1(1). The directive mandates the repair of the flight deck structural angle using Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-53-75, which details the incorporation of Repair RD8-53-3620. This requirement arises from an incident where an uncommanded roll control disconnect occurred during landing due to a structural angle interfering with the roll control disconnect cable, leading to a disconnection of the roll control. The directive was issued to address this safety concern and was made effective on 2 November 2000, with compliance required before 15 March 2002, unless the repair had already been completed. This AD is applicable within the jurisdictional reach of the Commonwealth of Australia and is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) in question (AD/DHC-8/72) applies specifically to Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series aeroplanes, including models 102, 103, and 301, with serial numbers ranging from 003 through 146, excluding serial numbers 064 and 137. The directive mandates a repair to the flight deck structural angle, identified by part number 85310497-101/10311/2000. The repair must be carried out in accordance with Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-53-75, which includes instructions for incorporating Repair RD8-53-3620. This action is necessary to address an unsafe condition that has been identified, where a structural angle interfered with the clevis of the roll control disconnect cable, potentially leading to uncommanded roll control disconnection during landing in turbulent conditions. The AD imposes several obligations on the parties involved, including aircraft owners and operators of the specified DHC-8 models. The primary requirement is to ensure that the repair to the flight deck structural angle is completed before 15 March 2002, unless it has already been accomplished. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), and it became effective on 2 November 2000. The CASA delegate, David Alan Villiers, signed the directive on 13 September 2000, and it was subsequently notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 4 October 2000. Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD could result in serious safety issues, potentially leading to uncommanded roll control disconnect, which could compromise the safety of the flight. Although the specific civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with ADs generally could lead to enforcement actions by CASA, including fines, grounding of the aircraft, or other regulatory penalties. The exact penalties would depend on the specific circumstances and any subsequent legal proceedings. The AD is crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of the affected aircraft and ensuring that they continue to meet the necessary safety standards.