Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative instrument F2006B03531, address the issue of ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft, specifically targeting unsafe conditions that could compromise flight safety. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this legislation is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which has the authority to issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The primary objective of these regulations is to mandate corrective actions to maintain the safety standards of aircraft within Australian airspace. The AD in question, AD/BAe 146/83, focuses on the BAe 146 Series 200 aircraft, requiring inspections of fuselage underhead radiused rivets to prevent potential safety hazards arising from abrasions detected during maintenance. This directive aims to ensure that all specified aircraft meet the required safety standards, thereby protecting the integrity of air travel within Australia.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39, applies to certain British Aerospace BAe 146 Series 200 aircraft with specific constructor numbers listed in the applicability section. The directive mandates inspection and corrective action concerning fuselage underhead radiused rivets, which have been identified as potentially unsafe following reports of rivet abrasion during fuselage skin polishing operations after paint removal. This requirement ensures that any identified unsafe condition is addressed in accordance with the detailed instructions provided in the BAe Systems Mandatory Service Bulletin 53-087 Revision 1 or 2. The AD, issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, becomes effective from 28 December 2000, and the compliance timeline is outlined within the requirement document itself. This directive is applicable nationally and extends to all entities operating BAe 146 Series 200 aircraft within the specified constructor numbers, with no stated exclusions or exemptions in the text provided.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39, Section 105, outlines a detailed Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertaining to the British Aerospace BAe 146 Series aeroplanes (AD/BAe 146/83). The AD mandates a particular action in response to a reported unsafe condition identified in the BAe 146 Series 200 aircraft, specifically those with constructors' numbers E2022 through E2048. The requirement section (section 105) necessitates an inspection of the fuselage underhead radiused rivets, following the instructions provided in BAe Systems Mandatory Service Bulletin 53-087, either Revision 1 or Revision 2. Compliance with these requirements must occur as outlined in the AD itself. The directive became effective on 28 December 2000, as stated in the compliance section of the AD. The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and specific. Aircraft operators and maintenance personnel must conduct a thorough inspection of the underhead radiused rivets on the mentioned BAe 146 Series 200 aircraft. These inspections are critical and must adhere strictly to the guidelines set forth in the referenced service bulletin. The AD ensures that all necessary checks are performed to identify any abraded rivets and assess the fuselage skin thickness, particularly near severely abraded rivets. This requirement underscores the importance of maintaining the structural integrity of the aircraft to ensure safety. Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD may result in serious consequences. The AD is not just a recommendation but a mandatory directive that must be followed to the letter. Non-compliance could potentially lead to unsafe conditions that may compromise the aircraft's airworthiness. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the AD itself, breaches of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can generally result in significant civil or criminal penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety. The AD ensures that the mandated actions are taken to prevent any safety issues that could arise from unaddressed abraded rivets.