Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) were enacted to regulate the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation provides the framework for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue airworthiness directives that ensure aircraft meet safety standards. The AD/BAe 146/78 issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998 is a specific example of such a directive. It addresses a safety issue related to the passenger service units (PSU) in certain British Aerospace BAe 146 Series aeroplanes, specifically those with Hella PSUs introduced by particular modifications. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate the modification of the PSUs to prevent potential hazards, ensuring the safe operation of the aircraft by correcting an unsafe condition identified in the PSU support lanyard. The directive became effective on 13 July 2000, with compliance required before 31 August 2000, underscoring the urgency and importance of the safety measures being implemented.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) under Part 39 - 105, specifically this Airworthiness Directive (AD/BAe 146/78), applies to certain Avro 146-RJ aeroplanes equipped with Hella Passenger Service Units (PSU), as identified by specific modification codes. This regulation is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate and mandates specific modifications to PSUs to address an unsafe condition that could potentially restrict the operation of the oxygen generator drop-down lid. The directive is applicable to aircraft types RJ70, RJ85, and RJ100 that have undergone particular PSU modifications. The requirement mandates that the PSUs be modified in accordance with the BAe Systems (Operations) Limited Service Bulletin SB.25-418-36215A dated 5 April 2000, which has been classified as mandatory by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The compliance date specified is before 31 August 2000, with the directive becoming effective from 13 July 2000. This directive is a legislative instrument issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and applies throughout the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all relevant aircraft meet the specified safety standards.

Key Provisions

This Airworthiness Directive (AD/BAe 146/78) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under section 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) pertains specifically to Avro 146-RJ70, 146-RJ85, and 146-RJ100 aeroplanes equipped with Hella Passenger Service Units (PSU). The AD mandates the modification of these PSUs in accordance with BAe Systems (Operations) Limited, BAe 146 Series/Avro 146-RJ Series Aircraft Modification Service Bulletin SB.25-418-36215A dated 5 April 2000. The directive's requirement is to modify the PSUs to prevent the PSU support lanyard from restricting the operation of the oxygen generator drop-down lid, a safety measure to avoid potential hazards during flight. This modification is mandatory for all specified aircraft models if not already performed, and must be completed before 31 August 2000. The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators and maintenance personnel of the affected aircraft. These obligations include ensuring that the PSU modifications are carried out as per the instructions detailed in the referenced service bulletin. Operators must verify that the modifications are completed before the specified deadline, and must maintain records of compliance with this directive. The AD also mandates that any modifications must be performed by qualified personnel who are certified to carry out such tasks, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority can enforce penalties for non-compliance, which may include fines and other administrative actions. In more severe cases, the non-compliance could lead to the grounding of the affected aircraft until the required modifications are performed, potentially disrupting flight schedules and incurring additional costs for the operators. Additionally, the AD's non-compliance could result in criminal charges if the failure to adhere to the directive leads to unsafe conditions that endanger flight safety. The maximum penalties for such offences are determined by the applicable laws and regulations, and can include substantial fines and imprisonment.