COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BAe 146/99 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 146/99
Amdt 1
Elevator Surface Flight Damper 10/2002
Applicability: All BAe 146 Series aircraft.
All Avro 146-RJ Series aircraft.
Requirement: Action in accordance with BAE Systems Mandatory Service Bulletin 27-169-01692A Revision 1.
Compliance: During the next ‘C’ check or maintenance period which is planned to exceed 3 consecutive calendar days after 3 October 2002, whichever occurs first; but not later than 31 January 2004.
This Amendment becomes effective on 3 October 2002.
Background: During certain atmospheric conditions, elevator stability can be reduced by the formation of ice on the elevator servo tab. This can result in a phenomenon known as ‘pitch oscillation’. Elevator surface dampers address this by providing additional damping directly to the elevator, thus suppressing the oscillation. This Directive requires installation of elevator surface dampers.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the Requirement document, which deleted reference to dependant modifications and changed the compliance time.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 13 June 2002.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 22 August 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 September 2002.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, encompass a broad array of regulations designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. Among these regulations, Part 39, specifically focusing on Airworthiness Directives, is crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft. This part of the Regulations was introduced to address potential safety issues by mandating specific actions to correct identified unsafe conditions. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) plays a pivotal role in this process by issuing and revoking Airworthiness Directives as necessary. The underlying policy objective is to safeguard the public by ensuring that all civil aircraft meet the required safety standards, thereby preventing accidents and incidents related to aircraft airworthiness. This legislative framework is instrumental in providing clear guidelines and requirements for aircraft maintenance and operation, ensuring that any identified safety risks are promptly and effectively addressed.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BAe 146/99 pertains specifically to the BAe 146 Series aeroplanes and Avro 146-RJ Series aircraft, mandating specific actions to rectify unsafe conditions identified in the aircraft’s elevator systems. This directive is issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), thereby carrying the full weight of federal aviation regulation in Australia. The directive requires that elevator surface dampers be installed to address issues of elevator stability, particularly in mitigating the risk of 'pitch oscillation' caused by ice formation under certain atmospheric conditions. The directive specifies that the required modifications must be completed during the next 'C' check or maintenance period that exceeds three consecutive calendar days following 3 October 2002, but no later than 31 January 2004. This mandate applies nationally within the Australian jurisdiction, impacting all BAe 146 Series and Avro 146-RJ Series aircraft operating within the country. The AD does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, indicating that all applicable aircraft must comply with the directive unless otherwise specified by CASA.
Key Provisions
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under subregulation 39.1(1), targets all BAe 146 Series and Avro 146-RJ Series aircraft. The directive, which is an amendment to the original AD/BAe 146/99, mandates the installation of elevator surface dampers in order to address the issue of reduced elevator stability due to ice formation on the elevator servo tab, which can cause 'pitch oscillation' under certain atmospheric conditions. The directive requires compliance in accordance with BAE Systems Mandatory Service Bulletin 27-169-01692A Revision 1 and mandates that the installation be completed during the next 'C' check or maintenance period that exceeds three consecutive calendar days after 3 October 2002, but not later than 31 January 2004. The directive aims to ensure that the installation of these dampers is carried out to mitigate the identified safety risk.
The AD imposes several obligations on the operators and maintenance personnel of the BAe 146 Series and Avro 146-RJ Series aircraft. Firstly, it requires adherence to the instructions specified in BAE Systems Mandatory Service Bulletin 27-169-01692A Revision 1 for the installation of elevator surface dampers. Secondly, it mandates that the installation of these dampers occurs within the specified timeframe, either during the next 'C' check or maintenance period exceeding three consecutive calendar days after 3 October 2002, or by 31 January 2004 at the latest. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, leading to potential grounding and significant operational disruptions.
The AD also outlines consequences for non-compliance. While the specific civil or criminal penalties for breaching the AD are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with ADs generally can lead to severe civil penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These may include fines and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance results in an aircraft accident or endangers flight safety. Furthermore, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to issue enforcement actions, including suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, which can have significant repercussions for aircraft operators and maintenance providers.