AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BAe 146/77 Amdt 2 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BAe 146/77
Amdt 3
Pylon to Wing Forward Attachment Bolts 11/2002
Applicability: All BAe 146 series and Avro 146-RJ aircraft.
Note: Check the Aircraft Technical Records for embodiment of modifications HCM01649A and HMC01649B before actioning the Requirement document.
Requirement: Action in accordance with BAe Systems Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) 54-010 Revision 1 or SB 54-010 Revision 2.
Compliance: For aircraft that have achieved 4 years total time in service: Before accumulating 2,000 flights after 15 June 2000.
For aircraft that have not achieved 4 years total time in service:
Before accumulating 2,000 flights after 15 June 2000 or before achieving 4 years total time in service, whichever occurs later.
The compliance times remain unchanged by this issue. This Amendment becomes effective on 31 October 2002.
Background: The manufacturer received reports of in-service failures of engine pylon to wing forward attachment bolts. Investigation revealed the failures were due to corrosion in the bolt head undercut.
Amendment 1 allowed the inspection procedure to be carried out with the engines installed.
Amendment 2 introduced to the accomplishment instructions an alternative method to re-protect bolt non-threaded areas previously cadmium plated.
Amendment 3 is issued to re- instate SB 54-010 Revision 1 as an equivalent Requirement document of this Directive.
Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 16 May 2002.
British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BAe 146/77 Amdt 3 (Continued)
Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 15 June 2000.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 30 December 1999.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 20 September 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 October 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Amendment 3 of the Airworthiness Directive AD/BAe 146/77 in 2002, targeting the British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes, including the Avro 146-RJ aircraft. This legislative instrument aimed to address safety concerns related to in-service failures of engine pylon to wing forward attachment bolts, specifically due to corrosion in the bolt head undercut. The AD, enacted under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, mandates specific actions in accordance with BAe Systems Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) 54-010 Revision 1 or Revision 2 to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft. The policy objective is to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety by requiring timely inspections and necessary repairs to prevent potential hazards arising from the identified corrosion issues.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/BAe 146/77 Amdt 3 pertains to all British Aerospace BAe 146 series and Avro 146-RJ aircraft. It specifically addresses the safety concerns associated with the pylon to wing forward attachment bolts, which have been identified as prone to corrosion in the bolt head undercut. This Airworthiness Directive is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly subregulation 39.1 (1). It mandates corrective actions in accordance with the specified British Aerospace Systems Mandatory Service Bulletins to ensure the safety of the aircraft in operation. The directive applies nationally across the Commonwealth of Australia and is effective from its notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 October 2002. Compliance with the directive must be achieved within specified timeframes based on the aircraft’s total time in service and flight cycles, ensuring that necessary inspections and corrective actions are completed to prevent unsafe conditions arising from the identified corrosion issues.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BAe 146/77 Amdt 3, issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, applies to all British Aerospace BAe 146 series and Avro 146-RJ aircraft. The AD mandates specific actions to address an identified unsafe condition concerning the engine pylon to wing forward attachment bolts, as detailed in sections (1) and (2). The primary requirement is for operators to take action as outlined in British Aerospace Systems' Mandatory Service Bulletins (SB) 54-010 Revision 1 or Revision 2. This action must be carried out in accordance with the specific instructions provided in the SB and must be completed under the specified conditions outlined in the AD. The directive specifies different compliance timelines based on the aircraft's total time in service. For aircraft that have already accumulated 4 years of total time in service, the required action must be completed before accumulating 2,000 flights after 15 June 2000. For aircraft that have not yet reached 4 years of total time in service, the action must be completed either before accumulating 2,000 flights after 15 June 2000 or before the aircraft reaches 4 years of total time in service, whichever comes later.
The obligations imposed by this AD on the parties it governs are clear and specific. Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the inspection and necessary actions are carried out in line with the instructions provided in the relevant SBs. This includes verifying the aircraft's technical records to confirm whether the modifications HCM01649A and HCM01649B have already been implemented. If these modifications are not present, the specified actions must be taken. The directive aims to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft by mitigating the risk of bolt failure due to corrosion in the bolt head undercut. The compliance period and specific instructions provide a framework for operators to follow in order to address the identified safety issue.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD can result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with an AD can lead to civil or criminal penalties. Specifically, an aircraft operated in a manner that does not comply with the AD may be deemed to be in an airworthy condition, which can result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The potential penalties for non-compliance can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach and the applicable regulations. The maximum penalties are not explicitly stated in the AD itself but are governed by the broader regulatory framework under which the AD was issued.