Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, introduces Airworthiness Directives to ensure the safety of aircraft operating in Australia. This legislation was enacted to address safety concerns and to mandate corrective actions when issues are identified. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issues these directives to maintain and enhance the safety standards of civil aviation. The policy objective is to ensure that all aircraft meet the required safety standards by mandating specific actions in response to identified safety issues. One such example is the Airworthiness Directive AD/BAe 146/81, issued on 18 October 2000, which requires the inspection and modification of the wiring of fire bottles on Avro 146-RJ series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address a reported issue with the wiring of fire bottles on engine No 4, which had rendered the fire bottle unserviceable. The directive mandates a continuity check and subsequent modification of the wiring to prevent future incidents.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) specified under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to Avro 146-RJ series aeroplanes that have had modifications HCM01582A, HCM01582B, HCM36192A, or HCM36192B incorporated. The AD is issued by the delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure compliance with safety standards concerning the wiring of fire bottles on the specified aircraft. This directive mandates the completion of a continuity check for the wiring of the fire bottles on engines 1, 2, 3, 4 and the Auxiliary Power Unit, and requires modifications to the wiring as specified in the referenced Service Bulletins. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved by specific dates, with checks required before 4 December 2000 and modifications before 4 September 2001. The AD becomes effective from 18 October 2000 and is published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. This directive underscores the importance of maintaining airworthiness and safety in civil aviation by addressing a specific issue identified in the wiring of the fire bottles.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) under Part 39 - 105, specifically Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BAe 146/81, outlines critical safety measures for the BAe 146 Series aeroplanes, particularly for those with modifications HCM01582A, HCM01582B, HCM36192A, and HCM36192B. The directive, issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), mandates specific actions to address a reported unsafe condition related to the wiring of the fire bottles on the engines and the Auxiliary Power Unit (AUP). The requirement is for a continuity check of the wiring on the eight fire bottles (paragraph 1) and modification of the fire bottle wiring according to specified BAE Systems bulletins (paragraph 2). The directive became effective on 18 October 2000, and compliance dates are set for before 4 December 2000 for the continuity check and before 4 September 2001 for the wiring modifications. The AD imposes obligations on the operators and maintainers of Avro 146-RJ series aeroplanes to ensure that the specified fire bottle wiring checks and modifications are carried out. For the continuity check, this must occur before the specified date and after any maintenance affecting the extinguisher bottle wiring, including complete engine changes. The wiring modifications must be completed before the set deadline. Failure to comply with these requirements may lead to significant safety risks, potentially rendering the fire bottles on the engines and AUP unserviceable, which could compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. The AD does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance within its text, but under CAR 1998, failure to comply with an Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. Such non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions by CASA, including the possibility of grounding the aircraft until the required actions are completed. Furthermore, continued operation of an aircraft that does not comply with an AD may result in criminal charges under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which can lead to substantial fines and imprisonment. The specific penalties depend on the nature and severity of the breach, but they can be severe, reflecting the critical nature of air safety regulations.