Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Airworthiness Directive AD/HS 125/171, issued in 2004, pertains to British Aerospace BAe 125 series aeroplanes and Hawker 800 and 800XP variants. This legislative instrument was enacted to address the issue of potential engine fire extinguisher bottle mis-wiring in the specified aircraft models, which could lead to the fire extinguisher bottles being discharged into the incorrect engine nacelle. The directive requires a functional test of the engine fire extinguishing wiring, verification of correct wiring connector installation, correction of any incorrectly wired connectors, and the installation of new marker bands. This measure was implemented to enhance the safety of the aircraft by preventing potential fire hazards stemming from mis-wiring, as per the policy objective outlined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive became effective on 7 July 2004 and was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 30 June 2004.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/HS 125/171 applies specifically to the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series aeroplanes, including the 800A (including C-29A and U-125 variant), 800B, Hawker 800 (including U-125A variant), and 800XP models, as referenced in Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 26-3610, Revision 1. This directive is issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, James Coyne, to address a safety concern related to the engine fire extinguishing wiring. The AD mandates that a functional test of the engine fire extinguishing wiring be conducted to verify its appropriate installation and the correct installation of the wiring connectors, as well as the installation of new marker bands. If any connectors are found to be wired incorrectly during the verification process, they must be corrected. The directive also requires compliance within a specified timeframe, with the functional test and installation of marker bands to be completed within 70 hours of the aircraft being in service or 30 days from the effective date of the directive, whichever is earlier, while any necessary corrections must be made before further flight. The AD became effective on 7 July 2004, and its details were published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 30 June 2004.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Airworthiness Directive (AD/HS 125/171) pertain to the actions that must be taken to ensure the safety of the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series aeroplanes, specifically the BAe 125 series 800A (including C-29A and U-125 variant), 800B, Hawker 800 (including U-125A variant), and 800XP models. Section 1 of the directive mandates the performance of a functional test of the engine fire extinguishing wiring, verification of the correct wiring connector installation, and installation of new marker bands in accordance with the instructions provided in Raytheon Service Bulletin SB 26-3610, Revision 1. Furthermore, if any connector is found to be incorrectly wired during the verification process, it must be corrected, as outlined in Requirement 2 of the directive. These actions are necessary to prevent the incorrect discharge of fire extinguisher bottles into the wrong engine nacelle, which could lead to safety hazards. The AD imposes several obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Firstly, the directive requires the completion of a functional test of the engine fire extinguishing wiring and verification of the correct wiring connector installation within 70 hours of the aeroplane's time in service or 30 days after the effective date of the directive, whichever comes first. Secondly, if any connector is found to be incorrectly wired during the verification process, the wiring must be corrected prior to further flight. Additionally, the directive mandates the installation of new marker bands as per the instructions in SB 26-3610, Revision 1. It is the responsibility of the aeroplane operators and owners to ensure that these requirements are met in a timely and effective manner to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aircraft. Failure to comply with the provisions of the AD may result in civil and criminal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce the directive and take appropriate action against non-compliance. In the event of non-compliance, CASA may issue a Notice of Contravention under section 13 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which could lead to fines or other penalties. Additionally, if the non-compliance results in an aviation accident or incident, the relevant parties may face criminal charges under the Act, including imprisonment and fines. The maximum penalties for offences under the Act depend on the specific circumstances of the case and the severity of the non-compliance. It is essential for aeroplane operators and owners to adhere to the requirements of the AD to avoid potential legal and financial repercussions.