AD/BAe 146/31 - Nose Cowl Extinguisher Pipe

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives aimed at ensuring the safety of civil aviation operations in Australia. The specific legislation, F2006B03483, pertains to the British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes and addresses a critical issue related to the nose cowl extinguisher pipe, as outlined in AD/BAe 146/31. This directive was enacted by the Australian Government to address a reported case of damage to the extinguisher pipe due to chafing, a significant safety concern that could potentially lead to severe operational risks. The regulation mandates compliance with the mandatory BAe 146 Service Bulletin 26-A29 Revision 2, with a specific compliance date of 31 May 1991, as extended by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The policy objective of this legislative instrument is to maintain and enhance the safety standards of civil aviation by ensuring that all relevant aircraft are equipped with properly maintained extinguisher systems. The directive provides clear guidelines on the required action to be taken by operators, ensuring that any previous compliance with SB 26-A29 negates the need for additional inspections. This regulation underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols in mitigating risks associated with aircraft operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, addresses the safety of British Aerospace BAe 146 Series aeroplanes, targeting all Series 100 and 100A aircraft up to and including E1152, all Series 200 and 200A aircraft up to and including E2156, and all Series 300 and 300A aircraft up to and including E3157. The scope of this legislation is focused on ensuring the airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating specific action concerning the nose cowl extinguisher pipe, as outlined in the mandatory BAe 146 Service Bulletin 26-A29 Revision 2. Operators who have already complied with the previous version of this bulletin are exempt from additional inspections due to this revision. Compliance with the directive is required prior to 31 May 1991, reflecting an extension of the deadline set by the UK Civil Aviation Authority due to a reported case of damage to the extinguisher pipe caused by chafing in the nose cowl assembly. The regulation applies nationally within Australia and aligns with the overarching aim of maintaining safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes, includes a directive (AD/BAe 146/31) concerning the nose cowl extinguisher pipe (paragraph 4/91). This directive applies to all Series 100 and 100A aircraft up to and including E1152, all Series 200 and 200A aircraft up to and including E2156, and all Series 300 and 300A aircraft up to and including E3157 (section 1). The action required is in accordance with the mandatory BAe 146 Service Bulletin (SB) 26-A29 Revision 2, with a note that operators who have already complied with SB 26-A29 will not need to perform any additional inspections due to this revision (section 2). Compliance with these directives must be achieved prior to 31 May 1991, reflecting an urgency to address potential safety concerns identified by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (section 3). Operators of the specified BAe 146 Series aeroplanes are obligated to ensure that their aircraft comply with the requirements outlined in the Airworthiness Directive. This involves following the detailed instructions provided in the BAe 146 SB 26-A29 Revision 2, which may include specific inspections, repairs, or replacements of the nose cowl extinguisher pipe to prevent damage caused by chafing. These directives are intended to mitigate the risk of in-flight fire hazards and ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft. Operators must keep detailed records of compliance activities and any actions taken to address identified issues (section 4). Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directives can result in severe consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance may be considered an offence, leading to potential enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Penalties for non-compliance can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are completed. The exact penalties are not specified in the directive but are governed by broader provisions within the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which can impose significant financial penalties and other civil or criminal consequences (section 5).