AD/BAe 146/86 - Environmental Control System Inspection for Contamination

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COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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.

AD/BAe 146/86 Environmental Control System

Inspection for Contamination

Applicability: All British Aerospace BAe 146-100, -200 and -300 series aircraft.

5/2001

Requirement: 1. At any time cabin air contamination is suspected to be associated with engine oil, carry out the inspections specified in British Aerospace Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-150, Paragraph 2A and 2B and the associated flow chart.

If defective components are found during these inspections, either rectify such defects before further flight or isolate the defective component/s and operate the aircraft in accordance with the limitations specified in the approved MEL.

2. Carry out the inspections specified in British Aerospace Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-150, Paragraph 2A and the associated flow chart.

The provision of Requirement 1 to invoke the MEL may be applied to this Requirement if required.

3. Report defects to British Aerospace in accordance with British Aerospace Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-150, Paragraph 2J.1 using the forms provided in the Service Bulletin. Additionally, whenever oil contamination of the cabin air system is confirmed, forward a copy of the associated report to CASA addressed to the Section Head, Systems, Fax No. 02 6217 1914.

Note 1: The CAA (UK) AD 002-03-2001 refers.

4. Ensure operating procedures include provisions for required action in the event of suspected cabin air contamination and for reporting such defects for maintenance action and that all flight crew are aware of those provisions.

Note 2: BAe 146/RJ Service Information Leaflet No21-45 and BAe 146/RJ Operational Notice OP 16 contain information with respect to required aircrew action in the event of a suspected cabin air contamination event. Such action includes specific provisions for oxygen usage by the flight crew.

Compliance: 1. Either before further flight or within 10 flying hours provided the source of the contamination is identified and isolated from the cabin environment before further flight, using either flight operations procedures or maintenance procedures.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

2. Initially at the next A Check after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive, and thereafter repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 500 flights.

3. As of the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive.

4. Unless previously accomplished, no later than 3 May 2001. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 April 2001.

Background: Cabin air quality has been the subject of intense investigation for a number of years. As a result, local BAe 146 operators have incorporated various modifications to the cabin air system, APU and engines. They have also introduced improved maintenance practices to further address this issue. These actions have resulted in a significant reduction in the number of cabin contamination incidents reported to CASA and the ATSB. In addition, the operators have changed the oil used in their respective fleets to Mobil 291; a fourth generation turbine oil.

The CAA (UK) has advised a recent crew incapacitation incident in the UK may have been associated with contamination of the cabin air system with engine oil. While overseas operators have experienced cabin air contamination events, these events have not generally been treated with the same degree of concern, as is the case with Australian operators. Consequently, overseas operators have not been as active in introducing the cabin air quality improvements into their aircraft.

This AD reflects action by the CAA (UK) and effectively mandates action already enacted by local operators to address cabin air contamination events. It also serves to satisfy the recommendation by the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for improved reporting of cabin air contamination events in Australia.

Eugene Paul Holzapfel

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 30 March 2001

The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 3 April 2001.

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), specifically within PART 39 - 105, include a schedule of airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety concerns in civil aviation. This legislation was enacted to ensure the safety of aircraft and passengers by setting stringent airworthiness standards and directives. The particular Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BAe 146/86 was introduced to address the issue of cabin air contamination, particularly when associated with engine oil, in British Aerospace BAe 146-100, -200, and -300 series aircraft. The AD mandates inspections, maintenance procedures, and reporting requirements to mitigate the risks associated with such contamination. It was issued under the authority of the CASA delegate and became effective on 3 April 2001, aiming to correct an unsafe condition and align with recommendations for improved cabin air quality monitoring and reporting, as suggested by the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39, specifically the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BAe 146/86, pertains to all British Aerospace BAe 146-100, -200, and -300 series aircraft. Issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, this AD applies to aircraft registered in Australia and is intended to address the safety concerns associated with cabin air contamination linked to engine oil. The directive mandates inspections, repairs, and reporting requirements when contamination is suspected. For instance, it requires inspections as outlined in British Aerospace Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-150, Paragraphs 2A, 2B, and 2J.1, and the implementation of maintenance and operational procedures to mitigate risks. Defects identified during inspections must be rectified or isolated with approved limitations, and reports of such defects must be submitted to British Aerospace and CASA. The AD aims to ensure that all flight crews are informed about the procedures to follow in case of suspected contamination. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and must be achieved within specific timelines, starting from the effective date of the AD.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive AD/BAe 146/86, issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) Part 39, requires specific inspections and actions concerning cabin air contamination in British Aerospace BAe 146-100, -200, and -300 series aircraft (section 5/2001). The requirement section mandates that when cabin air contamination is suspected to be associated with engine oil, inspections must be conducted as specified in British Aerospace Inspection Service Bulletin ISB.21-150, Paragraph 2A and 2B, and the associated flow chart. If defects are found, they must be rectified before further flight, or the defective components must be isolated, and the aircraft operated according to the limitations specified in the approved MEL (Maintenance Error Log). Additionally, inspections must be carried out as per ISB.21-150, Paragraph 2A and the associated flow chart, with the option to apply the MEL provision if necessary. Defects must be reported to British Aerospace and a copy of the report must be forwarded to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) when oil contamination of the cabin air system is confirmed. Operating procedures must include actions for suspected cabin air contamination and reporting defects, and all flight crew must be aware of these provisions. The obligations imposed on parties governed by this AD include conducting specified inspections, rectifying any found defects, reporting defects to the relevant authorities, and ensuring that operating procedures and aircrew actions are in line with the requirements set out in the AD. Operators must comply with the inspection intervals and timelines specified in the AD, ensuring that the inspections are carried out at the next A Check after the effective date of the AD and then repeated at intervals not exceeding 500 flights. Furthermore, operators must ensure that flight crew are adequately informed and trained on the procedures to be followed in case of suspected cabin air contamination. The AD includes provisions for civil and criminal consequences in the event of non-compliance. The maximum penalties for breaches of CAR 1998 and associated regulations can include substantial fines and potential imprisonment for individuals, as well as fines for corporations. The specific penalties depend on the nature and severity of the breach, but they are intended to enforce compliance and ensure the safety of passengers and crew. The AD serves as a mandate to address cabin air contamination, reflecting the recommendations and actions taken by local operators to mitigate such risks.

Area of Law: Environmental Law; Commercial Law
Instrument: Legislative Instrument
Concepts: Reporting & Disclosure Obligations; Compliance Obligations; Regulatory Standards

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