AD/DO-27/3 - Elevator Hinge Bracket - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, serves to regulate various aspects of civil aviation within the country. A specific aspect of these regulations is captured in Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, particularly focusing on the Dornier DO-27 series aeroplanes. The Airworthiness Directive AD/DO-27/3 was introduced to address the identified problem of potential structural weaknesses in the elevator hinge brackets of certain Dornier DO-27 models. This directive mandates that all DO-27 model Q1, Q3, and Q4 aeroplanes with specific serial numbers undergo inspection of their elevator hinge brackets at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service after 1 September 1971, ensuring compliance with safety standards as outlined in Dornier TB No. 27/1. The policy objective is to maintain the airworthiness and safety of these aircraft through regular inspections and necessary maintenance actions.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) for certain aircraft, including the Dornier DO-27 series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all Dornier DO-27 model Q1, Q3, and Q4 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 2001 to 2037, 2041 to 2055, and 2062. The primary focus of this directive is the inspection of elevator hinge brackets, as outlined in Dornier TB No. 27/1, to ensure compliance with civil aviation safety standards. The regulations mandate that inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service after 1 September 1971. This legislation extends its jurisdiction nationally across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring consistent safety standards for all covered aircraft operating within Australian airspace. The regulations do not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, thereby applying universally to the specified aircraft models within the defined serial number ranges.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, includes the Airworthiness Directives (ADs) which are regulatory requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft. Section 105 of the regulations, dealing with the Dornier DO-27 Series Aeroplanes, outlines specific ADs for these aircraft. The directive in question, AD/DO-27/3, pertains to the elevator hinge bracket and mandates inspections at regular intervals for certain Dornier DO-27 models. Section 105 requires that all Dornier DO-27 model Q1, Q3, and Q4 with specific serial numbers (2001 to 2037, 2041 to 2055, and 2062) undergo inspections of their elevator hinge brackets. This inspection must occur at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service after 1 September 1971. The directive references Dornier Technical Bulletin No. 27/1 as the document that provides the detailed compliance requirements. Essentially, these regulations ensure that the specified aircraft are regularly checked to maintain their airworthiness and safety standards. Compliance with the AD/DO-27/3 is mandatory for the operators and owners of the specified Dornier DO-27 models. They are required to adhere to the inspection intervals as mandated by the regulations. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft not being deemed airworthy, potentially leading to grounding and other enforcement actions. Operators and owners must ensure that they have access to and follow the detailed compliance instructions provided in Dornier Technical Bulletin No. 27/1. Breach of the AD/DO-27/3 and other airworthiness directives can lead to serious consequences. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) taking enforcement actions, including fines, penalties, or even the suspension of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness. The maximum penalties for such breaches can be significant, reflecting the importance of maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation. It is imperative for operators and owners to strictly adhere to the specified directives to avoid these legal and safety repercussions.