AD/HS 125/61 - Electrical Power - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, was enacted in 1998 to establish safety standards for civil aviation in Australia, ensuring both the safety of the aircraft and the protection of the public. One of the key provisions within these regulations is Part 39 - 105, which pertains to Airworthiness Directives. This part was introduced to address specific safety concerns in civil aviation, ensuring that all aircraft meet necessary safety standards. Among these directives is AD/HS 125/61 concerning British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes, which was established to mitigate the risk of 'PE' busbar feeder fuses rupturing when a circuit breaker is reset onto a system fault. This directive mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1983, following British Aerospace 125 Service Bulletin 24-239-(2885), thus ensuring the integrity of the electrical systems in these aircraft and enhancing overall flight safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the maintenance and safety directives concerning aircraft operations within Australia. This legislation applies to all British Aerospace BAe 125 Series aeroplanes, ensuring that such aircraft meet the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Compliance with the Airworthiness Directive AD/HS 125/61, which references British Aerospace 125 Service Bulletin 24-239-(2885), is mandatory for all models of these aeroplanes. The requirement mandates that the specified modification be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 31 May 1983, aimed at preventing the rupture of the ‘PE’ busbar feeder fuses which could arise from resetting a circuit breaker onto a system fault. This regulation extends its jurisdictional reach across the Commonwealth, enforcing strict adherence to safety protocols to mitigate potential risks associated with electrical system failures in BAe 125 Series aeroplanes.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, detail the Airworthiness Directives that must be complied with for certain aircraft, including the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes. Specifically, AD/HS 125/61 pertains to modifications in the electrical power system. This directive applies to all models of the BAe 125 series aeroplanes (section 5/83). The directive mandates compliance with British Aerospace 125 Service Bulletin 24-239-(2885), which was issued to address a critical safety issue. This requirement necessitates that modifications be made within 100 hours of time in service following the directive's issuance date of 31 May 1983. The obligations under this directive include ensuring that all BAe 125 aeroplanes are inspected and modified to prevent the risk of circuit breaker resets causing the rupture of the ‘PE’ busbar feeder fuses. This modification is essential to maintain the aircraft’s airworthiness and safety standards. Operators of these aircraft must ensure that the modifications are performed by authorised personnel and documented appropriately. This documentation should include the details of the modification, the date it was performed, and the signatures of the personnel who carried out the work. Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive can result in significant legal consequences. Non-compliance may lead to penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which can include substantial fines and imprisonment for the responsible parties. The exact penalties may vary based on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the court, but they are intended to enforce strict adherence to safety standards. In addition to criminal penalties, non-compliance can also lead to civil consequences, such as the suspension or revocation of an operator's certificate, which can severely impact the ability to continue operating the affected aircraft. Therefore, it is crucial for operators to ensure full compliance with the directive to avoid these adverse outcomes.