AD/BAe 146/59 - Elevator Mass Balance Weight

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, encompass the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, including AD/BAe 146/59 concerning the elevator mass balance weight for British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes. Enacted by the Australian Government, this legislation was introduced to address the need for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft by mandating specific modifications. The directive requires all Series BAe 146 and Avro 146/RJ aircraft to implement changes according to the British Aerospace, Avro International Division Mandatory Service Bulletin 55-014-01510A. This action aims to rectify the potential accumulation of water at the trailing edge of the elevators during severe precipitation, ensuring compliance by 30 June 1997. The underlying policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by maintaining the structural integrity and performance of aircraft in adverse weather conditions.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandates the implementation of AD/BAe 146/59 for all Series BAe 146 and Avro 146/RJ aircraft. This legislation applies to the entire fleet of these aircraft, requiring compliance with the manufacturer's Mandatory Service Bulletin 55-014-01510A. The directive necessitates modifications to the elevator mass balance weights to address potential water accumulation at the trailing edge of the elevators during severe precipitation, ensuring the aircraft's safety and airworthiness. Compliance with this directive must be achieved before 30 June 1997. The regulations extend across the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by CASA, and do not specify any exclusions or exemptions within the text provided. The application of this directive may be further detailed or extended through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, contains the directive AD/BAe 146/59, which pertains to the elevator mass balance weight for the British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes (section 105). This directive applies to all Series BAe 146 and Avro 146/RJ aircraft (section 3). The requirement under this directive is to take action in accordance with British Aerospace, Avro International Division Mandatory Service Bulletin 55-014-01510A (section 5). Compliance with this directive is mandated before 30 June 1997 (section 6). Under this legislation, all owners and operators of Series BAe 146 and Avro 146/RJ aircraft must adhere to the modifications specified in the manufacturer's mandatory service bulletin. This involves installing revised mass balance weights to the elevators of the aircraft to prevent the accumulation of water at the trailing edge of the elevators in conditions of severe precipitation. These modifications are crucial for maintaining the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft, ensuring that the elevators function correctly even in adverse weather conditions. The directive mandates strict compliance by the specified deadline, necessitating timely action by all parties involved. Failure to comply with the directive AD/BAe 146/59 may result in serious safety implications, potentially leading to operational restrictions or grounding of the aircraft. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose legal obligations on aircraft owners and operators to ensure that their aircraft meet all specified airworthiness standards. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in enforcement actions by CASA, which may include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory penalties. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the directive to maintain safety and regulatory compliance. In terms of penalties and consequences, while the specific maximum penalties are not detailed in this directive, the broader Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide for significant sanctions. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in substantial fines, the imposition of which is determined by the severity of the breach and the impact on aviation safety. Additionally, CASA has the authority to suspend or revoke airworthiness certificates, which could effectively ground an aircraft until compliance is achieved. Such actions are intended to enforce adherence to safety standards and to protect the public from the risks associated with non-compliant aircraft operations.