COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes
AD/HS 125/110 Passenger Compartment Fluorescent Lighting 9/90
Applicability: All BAe 125 aircraft as detailed in the Requirement Document. Requirement: Action in accordance with BAe Service Bulletin 33-43.
Note: Compliance with this SB has been classified Mandatory by the UK CAA.
Compliance: Prior to 6 October 1990.
Background: British Aerospace have advised that the use of fluorescent lighting components manufactured by Aerospace Lighting Corporation (ALC) are used as original fit equipment on aircraft completed at Chester. Similar components manufactured by other companies are available bearing the same part number, however the use of these components with original fit components can lead to electrical arcing at the lamp connectors, leading to overheating and possible fire hazard.
AD/ELECT/56 details action to be taken in respect of cabin fluorescent lighting system components manufactured by S.E.L.A. Laboratoire Abadie, and provides background detail which is also relevant to this AD.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, form a crucial part of the country's aviation safety framework. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to the BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes, addressing safety concerns related to the passenger compartment fluorescent lighting. This legislation was introduced to mitigate the risk of electrical arcing, overheating, and potential fire hazards arising from the use of certain fluorescent lighting components in BAe 125 aircraft. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, established these regulations to ensure the highest standards of safety in civil aviation.
The policy objective behind this specific directive, AD/HS 125/110, is to mandate compliance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin 33-43, which was classified as mandatory by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. This directive requires all BAe 125 aircraft to adhere to specified actions to prevent the aforementioned risks associated with the use of certain lighting components. By enforcing this directive, the Australian government aims to harmonise its aviation safety standards with international benchmarks, thereby safeguarding passengers, crew, and the general public from potential hazards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all BAe 125 series aeroplanes and mandates compliance with certain safety directives to ensure airworthiness. This legislation applies to the aircraft themselves, necessitating adherence to specific service bulletins, such as BAe Service Bulletin 33-43, which has been classified as mandatory by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Compliance with these directives is imperative for all BAe 125 aircraft, particularly those completed at Chester, to address potential fire hazards arising from electrical arcing at lamp connectors due to the use of non-original fluorescent lighting components. This regulation extends to any aircraft that may have incorporated such components, ensuring uniformity in safety standards across the specified fleet. Any deviation from these directives could result in significant safety risks, thus the compliance requirement is stringent and universally applicable to all affected aircraft within the scope of this legislation.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, contain provisions concerning airworthiness directives (ADs) for specific aircraft, such as the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes. In this context, AD/HS 125/110 (paragraph 105.045) mandates the compliance with BAe Service Bulletin 33-43 regarding the passenger compartment fluorescent lighting. This requirement is applicable to all BAe 125 aircraft as detailed in the Requirement Document. The directive specifically addresses the use of fluorescent lighting components manufactured by Aerospace Lighting Corporation (ALC) which are used as original fit equipment on aircraft completed at Chester. The regulation was classified as mandatory by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) prior to 6 October 1990.
Operators of BAe 125 aircraft must ensure compliance with this airworthiness directive. This involves taking action in accordance with BAe Service Bulletin 33-43. The directive highlights the potential risks associated with using fluorescent lighting components from different manufacturers. Components manufactured by companies other than ALC, although bearing the same part number, can cause electrical arcing at the lamp connectors when mixed with original fit components. This arcing can lead to overheating and pose a fire hazard, hence the stringent requirement for compliance. Operators must also be aware of AD/ELECT/56, which provides further details on the cabin fluorescent lighting system components manufactured by S.E.L.A. Laboratoire Abadie.
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in significant legal and safety repercussions. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose strict obligations on aircraft operators to adhere to such directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of their aircraft. Non-compliance could lead to civil or criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The specific consequences and maximum penalties for breaches of these regulations are detailed in the broader Civil Aviation Act 1988, which governs aviation safety in Australia. The severity of the penalties reflects the critical nature of maintaining aircraft airworthiness to protect passengers, crew, and the general public.