AD/DO-27/1 - Steel Band Tensioners - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. Part 39 of these regulations includes various airworthiness directives that apply to specific aircraft models to address safety concerns. One such directive, AD/DO-27/1, pertains to Dornier DO-27 Series Aeroplanes, specifically models Q-1, Q-3, Q-4, and H2. The directive was introduced to address the need for the replacement of steel band tensioners with tension chains to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft. This directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is responsible for enforcing the regulations and ensuring compliance to maintain the highest safety standards in Australian civil aviation. The policy objective behind AD/DO-27/1 is to mitigate potential safety risks associated with the steel band tensioners in the specified Dornier DO-27 Series Aeroplanes. By mandating the replacement of these components with tension chains, the directive aims to enhance the structural integrity and reliability of the aircraft. Compliance with this airworthiness directive is required before 1 September 1971, underscoring the urgency and importance of addressing this safety issue to protect both passengers and crew on board these aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the airworthiness directives for aircraft, including the Dornier DO-27 Series Aeroplanes, which apply to all models Q-1, Q-3, Q-4 and H2. These regulations mandate that the steel band tensioners identified by Drawing No. 27-404-01 H02 must be replaced with tension chains indicated by Drawing No. 27-416-01 H02. This requirement must be adhered to in compliance with either the Service Bulletin No. 27/11 issued by Dornier-Merke G.m.b.H on 22 February 1961, or the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) AD 6.27. The directive must be completed before 1 September 1971. This legislative instrument applies within the Commonwealth of Australia, establishing a clear timeframe and method for ensuring the specified modifications are implemented to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, focusing on ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. The relevant directive in this context is AD/DO-27/1, which pertains to the Dornier DO-27 Series Aeroplanes, including models Q-1, Q-3, Q-4, and H2. The primary requirement outlined in this directive is the replacement of the steel band tensioners (Drawing No. 27-404-01 H02) with tension chains (Drawing No. 27-416-01 H02). This directive is intended to ensure the continued safe operation of these aircraft by addressing potential safety issues related to the original design of the tensioners. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be completed before 1 September 1971. The modification work required is detailed in Service Bulletin No. 27/11 dated 22 February 1961, issued by Dornier-Merke G.m.b.H Munchen-Neuaubing, Federal Republic of Germany, or as specified in LBA AD 6.27. This directive imposes specific obligations on the owners and operators of the affected Dornier DO-27 Series Aeroplanes. These parties must ensure that the steel band tensioners are replaced with tension chains in accordance with the detailed instructions provided in Service Bulletin No. 27/11 or LBA AD 6.27. Failure to comply with this directive can lead to serious consequences. If an aircraft operator fails to adhere to the airworthiness directive by the specified deadline, the aircraft may be considered non-compliant and could face grounding or be denied permission to fly. This non-compliance not only risks the safety of passengers and crew but can also result in significant legal and financial penalties. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, CASA has the authority to impose penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives, which can include fines and other enforcement actions. The exact penalties may vary depending on the severity and circumstances of the non-compliance but can be substantial, reinforcing the importance of adhering to the directive.