COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 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.
Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes
AD/DHC-8/91 Emergency Exit Door Valve - Replacement 5/2003
Applicability: Bombardier DHC-8 aeroplane models 301, 311, 314 and 315, serial numbers 100
through 593.
Requirement: Replace the existing pressure control valve part number (P/N) 75290151-001 with P/N 505702 valve per the requirements of Transport Canada AD CF-2003-04.
Compliance: Within 30 months after the effective date of this directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 15 May 2003.
Background: Freezing of the control valve, which could prevent opening of the emergency exit door is replaced by this directive.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 4 April 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 23 April 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 were enacted to provide a comprehensive regulatory framework governing the safety standards in civil aviation within Australia. The 1998 Regulations, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were designed to address the need for a robust system of airworthiness directives, among other safety measures, to ensure that all civil aviation operations meet stringent safety standards. This legislative instrument addresses specific safety concerns by mandating corrective actions for identified unsafe conditions in aircraft, thereby enhancing the overall safety of Australian civil aviation. An example of such a directive is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued for Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes, which requires the replacement of the pressure control valve to prevent the freezing that could hinder the operation of emergency exit doors. This directive is part of the broader policy objective to mitigate risks and ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, govern the safety standards and compliance requirements for aircraft and aeronautical products within the Australian jurisdiction. The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998 applies to specific Bombardier DHC-8 aeroplane models, namely the 301, 311, 314, and 315, with serial numbers ranging from 100 through 593. This AD mandates the replacement of the existing pressure control valve part number 75290151-001 with part number 505702, following the directives set by Transport Canada AD CF-2003-04, due to the issue of valve freezing which could hinder the emergency exit door from opening. The directive requires compliance within 30 months from its effective date of 15 May 2003. The AD was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 23 April 2003, indicating its binding effect within the Australian aviation industry.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) in question (CASR 1998 Part 39 - 105) pertains specifically to Bombardier DHC-8 aeroplane models 301, 311, 314 and 315 with serial numbers ranging from 100 through 593. This directive mandates the replacement of the existing pressure control valve part number 75290151-001 with part number 505702. This change is necessary to address the issue of valve freezing, which could potentially prevent the opening of the emergency exit door. The directive stipulates that this replacement must be carried out in accordance with the requirements of Transport Canada AD CF-2003-04 and must be completed within 30 months from the directive's effective date of 15 May 2003.
The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and direct. The owners and operators of the specified Bombardier DHC-8 aeroplanes must ensure that the replacement of the pressure control valve is carried out by certified personnel, following the detailed instructions provided in Transport Canada AD CF-2003-04. The directive mandates that this task is to be completed within the specified timeframe to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Compliance with this directive is critical as it directly impacts the safety of passengers and crew by ensuring that emergency exits can be opened in the event of an emergency.
Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive can have serious legal and safety implications. The AD is legally binding, and non-compliance may result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The specific consequences for non-compliance, including potential penalties, are not detailed in the provided text. However, under the broader scope of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, non-compliance with ADs can result in penalties, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. Additionally, there could be severe civil and criminal liabilities for operators who fail to adhere to these safety directives, particularly if such non-compliance leads to safety incidents or accidents.