AD/HS 125/108 - Flap Inboard Hinge

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B10386, introduce an Airworthiness Directive (AD) aimed at enhancing the safety of British Aerospace BAe 125 Series aeroplanes, specifically addressing the potential for flap damage during landing on heavily watered or slush-covered runways. The AD mandates compliance with Hawker Siddeley Service Bulletin 27-112 to mitigate the identified risk. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Australian Government, overseen by the Parliament, to ensure that civil aviation safety standards are maintained and updated in response to emerging safety concerns. The policy objective is to safeguard the integrity of aircraft components during landing, thereby preventing accidents and ensuring the highest standards of airworthiness.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning Airworthiness Directives, governs the maintenance and operation of aircraft within the Australian jurisdiction. This regulation applies to the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes and is concerned with specific maintenance directives such as AD/HS 125/108, which focuses on the flap inboard hinge to mitigate the risk of damage during landings on heavily watered or slush-covered runways. The directive mandates compliance with the requirements outlined in the Hawker Siddeley Service Bulletin 27-112, ensuring that the aircraft maintain a certain standard of airworthiness and safety. The scope of this regulation encompasses all relevant operators and owners of the BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes, ensuring that they adhere to the stipulated maintenance actions to prevent potential damage to the aircraft's flaps. The regulation extends throughout the Commonwealth of Australia and is subject to enforcement by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with the overarching aim of enhancing flight safety and operational reliability.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes. This directive, identified as AD/HS 125/108 (section 39-105), mandates actions regarding the flap inboard hinge to mitigate potential damage during landing on heavily watered or slush-covered runways (section 39-105(1)). The directive applies to the aircraft as specified in the Requirement Document (section 39-105(2)). Compliance with the directive is to be achieved by following the instructions provided in Hawker Siddeley Service Bulletin 27-112 (section 39-105(3)), and adherence to the specific requirements outlined in the Requirement Document (section 39-105(4)). The AD imposes obligations on the operators and maintenance personnel of the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes to ensure that the inboard flap hinge is inspected and maintained according to the instructions in Hawker Siddeley SB 27-112. This includes the timely identification and rectification of any issues that could potentially lead to flap damage, particularly in adverse weather conditions such as heavily watered or slush-covered runways. Operators must maintain records of compliance with the AD and ensure that all maintenance actions are logged appropriately to demonstrate adherence to the directive (section 39-105(5)). Failure to comply with the provisions of the AD/HS 125/108 may result in significant civil or criminal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce the regulations, and non-compliance can lead to penalties. While specific penalties are not detailed within the text, breaches of civil aviation safety regulations can result in enforcement actions, fines, and potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. Additionally, operators found in violation of these directives may face legal action, including prosecution, which could further escalate the consequences for the offending party (section 39-105(6)).