AD/SD3-30/6 - Passenger Cabin Window - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through the legislative instrument F2006B06850, aim to address safety concerns within the aviation sector, particularly in relation to the airworthiness of aircraft. This legislative measure was introduced to ensure that civil aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to protect passengers and crew. The Australian Parliament enacted these regulations to establish a robust framework for the oversight and maintenance of aircraft, ensuring compliance with international safety standards. The specific airworthiness directive (AD/SD3-30/6) addresses an identified issue with the passenger cabin window on certain SD 3-30 series aeroplanes, requiring modifications to prevent potential hazards such as ice penetration, which was demonstrated by an incident where a propeller's ice cast penetrated a right-hand window. The policy objective behind these regulations is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation by mandating specific modifications and compliance deadlines for identified safety risks. This particular directive under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 is a response to a documented incident, ensuring that all affected aircraft are modified before a specified date to mitigate the risk of similar occurrences. By enforcing such measures, the legislation aims to uphold the highest standards of aviation safety, thereby protecting the public from potential harm.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives which govern the mandatory compliance requirements for certain aircraft models. AD/SD3-30/6 pertains to specific Short SD3-30 series aeroplanes, identified by serial numbers SH 3002 to SH 3071, as well as SH 3073, SH 3075, SH 3077, and SH 3078. This directive mandates a modification to the passenger cabin window to prevent incidents such as ice penetration by the propeller, as evidenced by a reported occurrence. Compliance with this directive is required to be achieved before 1 April, 1982, as referenced in Shorts SB No. SD3-56-02, which outlines the necessary modification. The directive applies directly to the specified aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, enforcing a safety standard that is imperative for the continued airworthiness of these aircraft. The scope of this legislation is limited to the specified aircraft serial numbers and does not extend to other models or entities outside the scope of SD 3-30 series aeroplanes. While this particular directive is specific, the broader regulatory framework under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 may incorporate additional subordinate instruments to further detail or expand upon the application and enforcement of airworthiness directives.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, including AD/SD3-30/6, which pertains to passenger cabin window modifications on SD 3-30 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to aircraft with specific serial numbers: SH 3002 to SH 3071; SH 3073, SH 3075, SH 3077, and SH 3078 (Section 1). The directive references Shorts SB No. SD3-56-02 and Modification No. 6159 and mandates compliance by 1 April 1982. This directive was issued following an incident where ice cast by the propeller penetrated the right-hand window immediately aft of the propeller plane (Section 1). The obligations and requirements imposed by this directive are stringent. Operators and owners of the affected SD 3-30 series aeroplanes must ensure that the specified modifications to the passenger cabin windows are completed by the stated compliance date (Section 1). This includes verifying that the modifications are performed in accordance with the referenced Shorts Service Bulletin No. SD3-56-02 and Modification No. 6159, ensuring the structural integrity and safety of the windows in question. Failure to comply with this airworthiness directive can lead to significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in severe penalties. These may include fines, the grounding of the aircraft, or even more severe enforcement actions by CASA. The specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text but are typically severe, reflecting the importance of adhering to safety mandates within the aviation industry. The directive aims to prevent similar incidents and ensure the safety of all passengers and crew on board these aircraft.