AD/BAe 146/60 - Generator Feeder Cables

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, are designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. Specifically, Part 39 – 105 of these Regulations, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses safety concerns by issuing directives that must be followed by operators of civil aircraft. This legislative instrument aims to rectify safety deficiencies and maintain high safety standards in the operation of civil aircraft. One such directive, AD/BAe 146/60, targets the British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes and mandates the modification of generator feeder cables to prevent overheating and subsequent damage, ensuring compliance with stringent safety requirements. The policy objective of this legislative instrument is to enhance aviation safety by addressing specific technical issues that may compromise the integrity and performance of aircraft components. The directive in question requires the incorporation of modification HCM01532A for certain Avro 146-RJ aircraft to replace incompatible generator feeder cables with appropriately sized cables. This modification is mandatory and must be completed by a specified deadline to ensure that all affected aircraft meet the required safety standards. The directive underscores the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's commitment to proactive safety management in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to Airworthiness Directives and is applicable to the British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes. This regulation directly impacts all Avro 146-RJ aircraft that have not incorporated modification HCM01532A. Notably, aircraft E2277, E2278, E3280, and subsequent ones will have this modification integrated during construction, thereby exempting them from the requirements of this directive. The directive mandates that the generator feeder cables between the AC1 and AC2 busbars and the generator contactors be modified to ensure compatibility with the generator output rating. This involves replacing the existing 6ANC size cables with larger 4ANC size cables to mitigate the risk of overheating and subsequent damage. Compliance with this directive is required at or before the next ‘A’ Check, with a specified deadline of 31 July 1996. This directive is enforced through subordinate instruments, ensuring that all relevant parties adhere to the outlined modifications and safety standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain a schedule of airworthiness directives that apply to various aircraft, including the British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes. In this context, the AD/BAe 146/60 pertains to the generator feeder cables and applies to all Avro 146-RJ aircraft that have not yet incorporated the modification HCM01532A (section 6/96). This directive mandates that all affected aircraft must incorporate modification HCM01532A in line with the British Aerospace, Regional Aircraft Limited, Avro International Division Modification Service Bulletin SB.24-113-01532A dated 12 March 1996, which has been classified as mandatory by the CAA(UK). The modification involves replacing the existing 6ANC size cables with larger 4ANC size cables, thereby addressing compatibility issues and reducing the risk of overheating and consequent damage. The obligations imposed by this airworthiness directive are quite clear. Operators of Avro 146-RJ aircraft must ensure that the specified modification is incorporated into their aircraft. This must be done in accordance with the detailed instructions provided by the British Aerospace Modification Service Bulletin. The compliance requirement dictates that this modification must be completed by the next 'A' Check, but not later than 31 July 1996. The urgency of this directive stems from the identified incompatibility between the size of the generator feeder cables and the generator output rating, which could lead to overheating and potential damage if not addressed. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in this airworthiness directive can have significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives, as these are critical for maintaining the safety standards of civil aviation. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided excerpt, it is generally understood that non-compliance can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties could involve imprisonment, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance. It is important for operators to adhere to these directives to avoid any legal repercussions and to ensure the continued airworthiness of their aircraft.