AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BAe 146/88 Amdt 1 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 146/88
Amdt 2
Engine Start Electrical Circuit 11/2001
Applicability: Avro 146-RJ70 and BAe 146 series aeroplanes detailed in BAe Systems BAe 146 Series/Avro 146-RJ Series Mandatory Modification Service Bulletin SB.80-18- 50293A dated 18 January 2001 or Revision 1 dated 4 July 2001.
BAE 146 Series 100 aeroplanes detailed in BAe Systems BAe 146 Series/Avro 146- RJ Series Mandatory Modification Service Bulletin SB.80-019-50293B dated 6 July 2001.
BAE 146 Series 200 aeroplanes detailed in BAe Systems BAe 146 Series/Avro 146- RJ Series Mandatory Modification Service Bulletin SB.80-020-50293C dated 6 July 2001.
Requirement: Modify the engine electrical start circuit in accordance with either BAe Systems SB.80-18-50293A, SB.80-18-50293A Revision 1, SB.80-019-50293B or SB.80-020- 50293C.
Note: CAA(UK) AD 003-01-2001 refers.
Compliance: Remains unchanged as “Before 20 December 2002”.
This Amendment becomes effective on 1 November 2001.
Background: Current Crew and Maintenance procedures have failed to protect the soft start resistor in the event of component failures, which could result in the resistor overheating and, in some cases, smoke and fumes entering the cabin.
The modification required by this Directive introduces a changeover contactor and protection circuit, which includes a time delay relay. This modification will isolate the start busbar should start power be supplied through the soft start resistor for more than 1.5 seconds. The circuit is also designed so that failure of the changeover contactor to energise will result in a hard start rather than a failed engine start.
Amendment 1 introduced a revised Service Bulletin that provides an alternate method of compliance for modified aeroplanes.
British Aerospace BAe 146 Series Aeroplanes
AD/BAe 146/88 Amdt 2 (Continued)
This amendment increases the range of affected aeroplanes and introduces additional Modification Service Bulletins applicable to the increased range.
The original issue of this Directive became effective on 17 May 2001. Amendment 1 became effective on 6 September 2001.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 25 September 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 10 October 2001.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BAe 146/88 Amdt 2, enacted in 2001, addresses the issue of unsafe conditions related to the engine start electrical circuit in British Aerospace BAe 146 series aeroplanes. This AD was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as a legislative instrument to ensure the safety of these aircraft by mandating specific modifications to the engine start electrical circuit. The directive aims to prevent overheating of the soft start resistor, which could otherwise lead to smoke and fumes entering the cabin. This amendment extends the applicability of the original directive to include additional BAe 146 series aeroplanes, thereby broadening the scope of aircraft that must comply with the safety requirements outlined in the directive.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BAe 146/88 Amdt 2 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to the Avro 146-RJ70 and British Aerospace (BAe) 146 series aeroplanes as detailed in various Service Bulletins issued by BAe Systems. These bulletins include SB.80-18-50293A, SB.80-18-50293A Revision 1, SB.80-019-50293B, and SB.80-020-50293C, which provide detailed instructions for modifications to the engine start electrical circuit to address an unsafe condition. The AD mandates that modifications be made to the electrical start circuit in accordance with the specified bulletins to ensure safety by preventing the overheating of the soft start resistor, which could otherwise result in smoke and fumes entering the cabin. The AD is effective for the specified aircraft models and must be complied with by 20 December 2002. This legislative instrument is issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and is applicable throughout the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The key provisions of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BAe 146/88 Amdt 2 involve modifications to the engine start electrical circuit for specific models of BAe 146 series aeroplanes, as outlined in section (1). The directive applies to Avro 146-RJ70 and BAe 146 series aeroplanes, as well as BAE 146 Series 100 and 200 aeroplanes, all of which must adhere to the modifications detailed in the Service Bulletins SB.80-18-50293A, SB.80-18-50293A Revision 1, SB.80-019-50293B, or SB.80-020-50293C (section 2). The modifications involve altering the engine electrical start circuit to include a changeover contactor and protection circuit, designed to isolate the start busbar if start power is supplied through the soft start resistor for more than 1.5 seconds, and to ensure that a failure of the changeover contactor results in a hard start rather than a failed engine start (section 3). This directive becomes effective on 1 November 2001, and compliance must be achieved before 20 December 2002 (section 4).
The obligations imposed by this AD require operators of the affected aeroplanes to modify the engine electrical start circuit as specified in the referenced Service Bulletins. These modifications must be implemented to prevent potential overheating of the soft start resistor, which could lead to smoke and fumes entering the cabin. Operators must ensure that these modifications are completed by the specified compliance date, and that the aeroplanes meet all safety standards outlined in the AD (section 5). The directive is binding on all entities operating the specified aeroplanes within Australia and mandates that any modifications be carried out by qualified personnel in accordance with the instructions provided by BAe Systems (section 6).
Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD can result in significant consequences. Under Australian law, non-compliance with an AD can lead to the grounding of the affected aircraft until the necessary modifications are completed. Additionally, there may be civil penalties imposed on operators for each day the aircraft remains non-compliant. The exact penalties are determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and can include fines up to a maximum specified by the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (section 7). Furthermore, any incidents arising from non-compliance could also lead to criminal charges against the operators, depending on the severity of the safety breach and any resultant harm or damage (section 8).