AD/HS 125/21 - Control Surfaces - Trim and Geared Tab Connecting Rod Attachments - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) are a comprehensive set of rules governing all aspects of civil aviation in Australia, and are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). One particular piece of legislation within this regulatory framework is the AD/HS 125/21 Airworthiness Directive pertaining to the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes, which was enacted to address issues related to control surfaces, trim and geared tab connecting rod attachments. The primary objective of this directive was to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft models by mandating regular inspections of the connecting rod attachments. The directive was enacted by the Australian Parliament to fill a gap in ensuring that these aircraft models maintained their airworthiness and complied with safety standards. This particular directive has since been removed from the listing as the aircraft model is not currently on the register.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to all air operators and relevant personnel within Australia, establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for civil aviation safety. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives pertains to the maintenance and operational standards of aircraft. One such directive, AD/HS 125/21, originally concerned the inspection of control surfaces, trim, and geared tab connecting rod attachments of British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes. However, this directive has been removed from the current listing as the specified aircraft model is no longer registered. This indicates that the Act applies to those operating or maintaining aircraft within its purview, ensuring that safety standards are adhered to nationally. While the specific AD/HS 125/21 is currently inapplicable, other directives within the same regulatory framework continue to govern the safety and airworthiness of registered aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for ensuring the safe operation of aircraft. In the context of the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes, one such directive, AD/HS 125/21, focused on control surfaces, trim, and geared tab connecting rod attachments. This directive required inspections to ensure the integrity of these critical components (section 39 - 105). However, it is noted that this specific AD has been removed from the listing as the aircraft model in question is no longer on the register (section 4/71). The obligations imposed by such regulations typically require aircraft operators to comply with all issued ADs, ensuring that their aircraft meet the safety standards set forth by CASA. Operators must conduct regular inspections and maintenance as specified in the ADs to maintain airworthiness. In this case, operators of the BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes would have been required to inspect the control surfaces, trim, and tab connecting rods as mandated by AD/HS 125/21. This includes documenting the inspections and any corrective actions taken to address identified issues (section 39 - 105). In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose strict penalties for violations of ADs. Failure to comply with an AD can result in serious civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties can include fines and enforcement actions against the operator, while criminal penalties may involve imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of ensuring aviation safety (section 39 - 105). The exact penalties would be determined based on the specific circumstances of the breach and the discretion of the courts. Compliance with ADs is not optional; it is a legal requirement that is critical to the safety of all persons on board and on the ground.