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 125/118 Fire Extinguisher Electrical Connectors 7/91
Applicability: As detailed in the Requirement Document.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of BAe SB 26-31.
Note: Compliance with this SB is classified Mandatory by the CAA (UK).
Compliance: Prior to 31 October 1991. Background: Compliance with this AD is necessary:
- To ensure correct location and orientation of electrical connectors to fire extinguisher discharge units; and
b. To ensure that electrical connectors cannot vibrate loose during service and to clarify wire locking requirements.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, were introduced to regulate and ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. These regulations encompass a variety of safety standards and operational requirements for aircraft, personnel, and aviation facilities, reflecting the overarching policy objective to safeguard the aviation industry and the public from potential hazards. One such regulation within the schedule of airworthiness directives is AD/HS 125/118, which pertains specifically to the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns related to fire extinguisher electrical connectors, ensuring they are correctly located, oriented, and secured to prevent loosening during service, thereby maintaining the integrity of the aircraft's safety systems. The compliance with this directive is mandatory, as it is classified as such by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, reflecting the critical importance of adhering to these safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives and applies to the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation mandates adherence to the technical requirements outlined in BAe Service Bulletin 26-31, classified as mandatory by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The directive applies to all BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes, ensuring the correct location and orientation of electrical connectors to fire extinguisher discharge units, as well as preventing these connectors from vibrating loose during service. Compliance with this Airworthiness Directive is required for aircraft registered in Australia, falling under the jurisdiction of CASA, which has jurisdiction across the Commonwealth. The legislation does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions but requires compliance before the specified date of 31 October 1991, as indicated in the Requirement Document. This directive's application may be extended or further specified through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs). Within this schedule, AD/HS 125/118 pertains to British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes, addressing the electrical connectors for fire extinguishers. This directive, effective as detailed in the Requirement Document, mandates compliance with the technical requirements outlined in BAe Service Bulletin 26-31. Notably, the Civil Aviation Authority (UK) has classified adherence to this service bulletin as mandatory (Section 105.01).
To ensure the safety of BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes, the AD necessitates that the electrical connectors for fire extinguisher discharge units are correctly located and oriented. This requirement is intended to prevent potential issues such as incorrect connections, which could compromise the effectiveness of the fire extinguisher system during an emergency. Furthermore, the AD mandates that electrical connectors cannot vibrate loose during service, thereby avoiding disconnection and subsequent loss of functionality. It also clarifies the necessary wire locking requirements to secure these connections, thereby maintaining system integrity and safety (Section 105.02).
Entities governed by these regulations, including aircraft operators, maintenance providers, and CASA, must adhere to the outlined requirements. Aircraft operators are obligated to ensure that their BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes comply with the technical specifications provided in BAe SB 26-31, particularly regarding the location, orientation, and securing of electrical connectors for fire extinguisher discharge units. Maintenance providers must perform necessary inspections and modifications as per the directive to ensure compliance. CASA, on the other hand, oversees and enforces the adherence to these ADs, ensuring that all aircraft meet the required safety standards (Section 105.03).
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/HS 125/118 can result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations impose penalties for non-compliance, which can include fines and other enforcement actions. Non-compliance may also lead to the grounding of the affected aircraft until the necessary corrections are made, thereby impacting operational continuity and potentially incurring additional costs for the operators. The severity of the penalties is determined by the extent of non-compliance and the risk posed to aviation safety (Section 105.04).