AD/BAe 146/15 Amdt 1 - Additional Riveted Attachment - Stringer 21P

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, was enacted by the Australian Government to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australian airspace. The legislation was introduced to address the need for comprehensive and enforceable standards that ensure the safety of passengers and crew on aircraft. The policy objective behind these regulations is to maintain a high level of safety in civil aviation, thereby protecting public interest. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) oversees the enforcement of these regulations and issues airworthiness directives such as AD/BAe 146/15 to address specific safety concerns. This particular airworthiness directive, Amendment 1, pertains to the British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes, aiming to correct an issue with the attachment of stringer 21P to ensure compliance with safety standards before the aircraft reaches 3000 flight cycles.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all aircraft operators and maintenance organisations involved with British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes within Australia. The regulations mandate that aircraft falling under the specified serial numbers within the Series 200 and 200A, as well as Series 300 and 300A, must adhere to the Airworthiness Directives set forth in the Schedule. The directive is aimed at ensuring the structural integrity of the aircraft by requiring action on the stringer 21P, which is crucial for the lower left-hand skin panel. Compliance with the directive is mandatory for these aircraft before they reach 3000 flight cycles. The directive amends the original Service Bulletin by introducing eight additional rivet positions to the stringer and its termination area, as well as updating the applicable aircraft serial numbers. The jurisdictional reach of these regulations is national, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and they do not specify any exclusions or exemptions, thereby applying uniformly to all relevant aircraft within the designated serial numbers.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, sets out the requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of various aircraft types, including the British Aerospace BAe 146 series. Within this regulation, AD/BAe 146/15 Amendment 1 pertains to the riveted attachment of Stringer 21P, particularly focusing on its end termination area adjacent to frame 39X. This amendment requires action in accordance with BAe S.B. 53-84-00737D Revision 1 (section 1). The directive applies to specific serial numbers within the Series 200 and 200A, as well as Series 300 and 300A (section 2). Compliance with this directive must be achieved prior to the aircraft reaching 3000 flight cycles (section 3). The background provided indicates that there were instances where Stringer 21P was not adequately riveted in the specified area, leading to the issuance of this airworthiness directive to rectify the issue. The obligations imposed by this regulation on the parties or entities it governs include ensuring that the specified rivet positions are correctly implemented on the affected aircraft models. Operators of the BAe 146 series aeroplanes must adhere to the Service Bulletin 53-84-00737D Revision 1, which includes detailed instructions on the additional rivet positions and the process for implementing these changes. This involves inspecting the specified stringers, adding the necessary rivets if they are missing, and ensuring that all work is completed in compliance with the directive before the aircraft reaches the designated flight cycle threshold. Documentation of the compliance process and any work carried out must also be maintained as part of the regulatory requirements. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive AD/BAe 146/15 Amendment 1 can result in serious consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument provided, non-compliance with airworthiness directives in general can lead to civil and criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These penalties may include substantial fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The severity of the penalties reflects the critical importance of adhering to airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of air travel. Therefore, operators must take this directive seriously and ensure full compliance to avoid any legal repercussions.