AD/HS 125/124 Amdt 2 - Wing Top Skin Bolt Holes and Internal Stringers

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety and airworthiness of aircraft through the implementation of Airworthiness Directives (ADs). One such directive, AD/HS 125/124 Amendment 2, was initially introduced to address issues related to the wing top skin bolt holes and internal stringers of British Aerospace BAe 125 Series aeroplanes. This directive was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, an entity responsible for ensuring the safety and efficiency of Australia’s civil aviation. The policy objective behind these regulations is to maintain and enhance the safety standards of civil aviation in Australia, ensuring that all aircraft meet the necessary safety criteria before being permitted to operate. The directive in question was later removed from the listing as the specific aircraft model it targeted is no longer on the register, indicating compliance or retirement of the aircraft type from service.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all aircraft registered in Australia, including the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation mandates the compliance of aircraft owners and operators with specific airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These directives are aimed at ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft through prescribed maintenance, repair, or modification actions. The application of these regulations is national in scope, extending across all states and territories within the Commonwealth of Australia. While the specific airworthiness directive AD/HS 125/124 Amendment 2 concerning the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes has been removed from the listing due to the aircraft model no longer being on the register, other directives continue to apply to relevant aircraft under CASA's oversight. The exclusions or exemptions from these regulations are minimal, with the primary focus being on maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation. Subordinate instruments may further extend or specify the application of these regulations, ensuring comprehensive coverage of safety directives for all registered aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) Part 39, specifically under Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, details critical safety requirements for aircraft, including the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes. The AD/HS 125/124 Amendment 2 pertains to the wing top skin bolt holes and internal stringers, dated 5/95. This particular Airworthiness Directive has been removed from the listing as the aircraft model in question is not currently on the register (Section 39.105). This means that the specific provisions that once applied to the BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes are no longer in effect for operational aircraft in Australia. Under the CAR 1998, the obligations for compliance with Airworthiness Directives fall upon aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance service providers. They must ensure that their aircraft meet the safety standards outlined in the regulations. For the BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes, this would have involved regular inspections and maintenance of the wing top skin bolt holes and internal stringers to comply with the directive before it was removed from the listing. These obligations are designed to ensure that all aircraft in Australian airspace maintain the highest safety standards, thus protecting the public and crew on board. In terms of breaches and consequences, the CAR 1998 imposes both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives. Civil penalties can include fines up to a substantial amount, depending on the severity of the breach, as well as potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. Criminal penalties can apply in cases of gross negligence or willful disregard for safety regulations, leading to more severe fines and even imprisonment for the responsible parties. The exact penalties are not specified in the text but are generally outlined in other parts of the CAR 1998. It is crucial for all stakeholders to adhere to these regulations to avoid such serious repercussions.