AD/DO 228/2 - Horizontal Stabiliser Front Spar and Supports

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, which includes the Airworthiness Directives, was enacted to address the safety concerns and ensure the airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australia. One such directive, AD/DO 228/2, was introduced to address the potential for cracking in the horizontal stabiliser front spar and connection areas of Dornier 228 series aeroplanes. This directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), an agency established under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, to enforce safety standards and ensure compliance with the regulations. The primary policy objective of this directive is to mitigate the risk of structural failure by mandating specific actions and inspections on the affected aircraft components, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety. AD/DO 228/2 requires aircraft operators to follow the actions outlined in Dornier Service Bulletins 228-035 Rev 1 and 228-024 Rev 1, which include detailed inspection and repair procedures to address asymmetrical loads experienced during ground runs and take-offs at 100% power setting. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved before accumulating 5000 flight cycles. This directive not only aligns with Australian safety standards but also references relevant West German directives to ensure international consistency and safety benchmarks are met.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, mandates the application of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safe operation of civil aircraft within Australia. The legislation applies to all models of the Dornier 228 series aeroplanes, requiring compliance with the directives outlined in the AD/DO 228/2 concerning the horizontal stabiliser front spar and its supports. This directive applies to the entire fleet of Dornier 228 series aircraft operating under Australian jurisdiction and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The requirement necessitates adherence to Dornier Service Bulletins 228-035 Rev 1 and 228-024 Rev 1, with specific actions needed to rectify and prevent potential structural failures, particularly in the horizontal stabiliser front spar and support areas which are prone to asymmetrical loads during ground runs and take-offs at full power settings. The directive also references West German AD 85-97/3 for further context. The compliance timeline mandates that the actions specified in Requirement 1 must be completed as detailed in Requirement Document 1, and Requirement 2 must be accomplished before the aircraft accumulates 5000 flight cycles. This AD ensures the continued airworthiness and safety of Dornier 228 series aircraft within the Australian aviation sector.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, including AD/DO 228/2 concerning the Dornier 228 Series Aeroplanes. The directive mandates actions to address issues with the horizontal stabiliser front spar and supports (section 1). This directive applies to all models of the Dornier 228 series aeroplanes (section 2). The main requirement is to follow the actions specified in Dornier Service Bulletin 228-035 Rev 1 dated 18 February 1986, and in Dornier Service Bulletin 228-024, Rev 1 dated 25 April 1986 (section 3). It is important to note that fulfilling Requirement 2 effectively terminates the inspection requirements of Requirement 1 (section 4). Additionally, West German AD 85-97/3 dated 22 July 1986 is referenced (section 5). The obligations under the AD/DO 228/2 require operators and owners of Dornier 228 series aeroplanes to ensure compliance with the specified service bulletins. This involves conducting the necessary actions detailed in Dornier Service Bulletin 228-035 Rev 1 and Dornier Service Bulletin 228-024, Rev 1, within the stipulated timeframes (section 6). Compliance with these requirements is to be demonstrated as detailed in Requirement Document 1 and before the aeroplane accumulates 5000 flight cycles (section 7). Failure to adhere to these directives can result in significant safety risks, particularly concerning the integrity of the horizontal stabiliser during critical flight phases such as ground runs and take-offs at full power. Failure to comply with the AD/DO 228/2 can result in severe consequences. The primary concern is the risk of asymmetrical loads on the horizontal stabiliser during critical phases of flight, which could lead to cracking in the stabiliser front spar and connection areas. This poses a serious safety hazard, potentially leading to structural failure. For breaches of these regulations, there are civil and potentially criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, and in severe cases, the grounding of the affected aircraft until compliance is achieved. Criminal penalties could be imposed if the breach results in an accident or incident, leading to potential imprisonment depending on the severity of the breach and the resulting consequences (section 8). The maximum penalties for non-compliance are not explicitly stated in the provided text, but under Australian law, the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 can impose fines and imprisonment. Generally, for breaches of airworthiness directives, fines can reach up to $1,000,000 for corporations and $200,000 for individuals, with imprisonment terms extending up to five years (section 9). Additionally, operators can face operational sanctions, such as the suspension or revocation of their air operator certificate, which could have significant financial and operational repercussions.