AD/BAe 146/57 - MLG Direction Link Sub-Assembly

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B03507, address the critical issue of ensuring the airworthiness of British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation was enacted to fill the gap in addressing specific safety concerns related to the maintenance of these aircraft, particularly focusing on the main landing gear (MLG) direction link sub-assembly. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as the enacting body, aims to mandate strict compliance with the manufacturer's service bulletins to prevent structural failures due to corrosion, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety. The policy objective is to mandate timely and effective actions as specified by the manufacturer to mitigate risks associated with identified structural weaknesses. The regulation requires all BAe 146 aircraft to adhere to the mandatory service bulletin 32-143 issued by Avro International Aerospace, with a compliance deadline set from the effective date of 7 December 1995. This directive is crucial in responding to reported instances of severe corrosion on the direction link tube and eye ends, which could otherwise lead to catastrophic failure of the landing gear system.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Series BAe 146 aircraft. This regulation mandates that action be taken in accordance with Avro International Aerospace Mandatory Service Bulletin 32-143, which addresses the corrosion issue affecting the direction link sub-assembly. The requirement must be complied with unless it has already been accomplished as per the details specified in the Requirement Document, which has an effective date of 7 December 1995. This directive is applicable to the entire fleet of BAe 146 aircraft and is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to ensure that the identified safety concerns are addressed to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Any deviation from the prescribed action could potentially compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft, thereby impacting flight safety.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Subpart 105, include Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). One such AD is AD/BAe 146/57, which pertains to the British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes. This particular directive focuses on the Main Landing Gear (MLG) Direction Link Sub-Assembly and mandates corrective action to address an identified safety issue (Section 39.105). The requirement is for all Series BAe 146 aircraft to follow the instructions outlined in Avro International Aerospace Mandatory Service Bulletin 32-143. Compliance with this directive is mandatory unless the specified actions have already been completed, with the effective date for compliance set as 7 December 1995 (Section 39.105(1)). The obligations imposed by this directive on the relevant parties, including aircraft operators and maintenance providers, are clear and specific. They must ensure that the MLG Direction Link Sub-Assembly is inspected and, if necessary, repaired or replaced in accordance with the manufacturer's bulletin. This involves meticulous adherence to the detailed procedures and specifications provided to prevent the risk of corrosion leading to failure of the direction link sub-assembly. Operators and maintainers must document all actions taken to demonstrate compliance and keep records of any inspections, repairs, or replacements performed (Section 39.105(2)). Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/BAe 146/57 can result in serious consequences. Non-compliance may lead to the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially resulting in grounding and prohibiting flight operations. Additionally, operators and maintenance providers may face enforcement actions by CASA, which can include financial penalties, administrative sanctions, or other regulatory measures. The severity of penalties depends on the nature and extent of the non-compliance but can be significant, reflecting the critical importance of adhering to safety directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft (Section 39.105(3)).