AD/BAe 146/2 - Air Cruisers Evacuation Slide

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, are a comprehensive set of rules governing civil aviation safety. One of the specific legislative instruments under this act, F2006B03472, addresses the airworthiness directives for British Aerospace BAe 146 Series aeroplanes. This particular directive, AD/BAe 146/2, was introduced to address a safety concern related to the evacuation slides on Series 100 and 100A aircraft up to and including E1017, as well as Series 200 and 200A aircraft up to and including E2048. The problem identified involved the incorrect routing of the evacuation slide inflation lanyard, which led to instances of the slide deploying in an inverted attitude. The policy objective behind this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating compliance with British Aerospace Alert S.B. 25-A57 prior to 30 April 1986.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the application of Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). In this instance, the legislation applies to the British Aerospace BAe 146 Series aeroplanes, covering Series 100 and 100A up to and including E1017, and Series 200 and 200A up to and including E2048. The primary focus of this directive is to mandate action in accordance with British Aerospace Alert S.B. 25-A57, which addresses an identified safety concern regarding the routing of the evacuation slide inflation lanyard. This safety issue was highlighted by a reported case where the slide deployed in an inverted attitude due to incorrect lanyard routing. Compliance with this directive is required prior to 30 April 1986, ensuring that all applicable aircraft meet the specified safety standards to mitigate the risk of such incidents. The regulations apply nationally within Australia, under the purview of the Commonwealth, and are enforced to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes, identified as AD/BAe 146/2 (section 1). This directive pertains to the evacuation slides on Series 100 and 100A aircraft, up to and including E1017, and Series 200 and 200A aircraft, up to and including E2048. The directive requires action in accordance with British Aerospace Alert S.B. 25-A57 to ensure compliance before 30 April 1986. The directive responds to a reported incident where the evacuation slide inflation lanyard was incorrectly routed, resulting in the slide deploying in an inverted attitude. The primary obligation imposed by this directive is the requirement for aircraft operators to address the issue of the evacuation slide inflation lanyard routing. This involves ensuring that the slides are modified or adjusted according to the specifications outlined in British Aerospace Alert S.B. 25-A57. Operators must complete this action before the specified deadline to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensure passenger safety. Failure to comply with the directive can result in significant safety risks, including potential injury or fatality during an evacuation. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 enforce strict compliance with Airworthiness Directives, and non-compliance can lead to severe consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed in the text, general provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 apply. Offences related to airworthiness and safety can result in criminal charges, including fines and imprisonment. For instance, a person who contravenes the regulations may face fines up to $216,000 for individual offences and $1,080,000 for corporate offences. In more severe cases, imprisonment for up to five years can be imposed. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the directive to avoid legal repercussions and ensure the highest standards of aviation safety.