AD/HS 125/65 - Main Landing Gear Jack Attachment Bracket - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. Within this comprehensive regulatory framework, Part 39 addresses various airworthiness directives that govern the maintenance and operational safety of aircraft. One such directive, AD/HS 125/65, pertains specifically to British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes, mandating inspections of the main landing gear jack attachment brackets to prevent potential cracking and subsequent operational hazards. This directive was introduced in response to reports of structural failures on overseas aircraft, highlighting the need for stringent safety measures to protect against similar incidents in Australia. The overarching policy objective is to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation through proactive and preventive measures. The enactment of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 by the Australian Parliament underscores the commitment to ensuring the safety of all civil aviation activities within the country. By issuing specific directives like AD/HS 125/65, CASA aims to mitigate risks associated with aircraft maintenance and operation, ensuring that all aircraft meet stringent safety standards. This directive, in particular, addresses the critical issue of potential structural failure in the main landing gear jack attachment brackets of BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes, thereby preventing possible in-flight hazards and ensuring the continued safety and reliability of these aircraft in Australian airspace.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This legislative instrument applies to all models of British Aerospace BAe 125 Series aeroplanes, including HS/DH/BH 125 variants, that are equipped with a long-range fuel tank modification identified as 255640. The directive mandates that these aircraft must undergo inspection of the main landing gear jack attachment bracket to mitigate the risk of cracking, which could compromise the functionality of the landing gear doors. This requirement applies nationwide, under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia. Compliance with the directive is crucial, as failure to adhere to the stipulated inspection timelines can result in safety risks. For aircraft that had accumulated more than 3000 landings by 31 July 1984, the inspection must be completed by 30 September 1984. Conversely, for aircraft with fewer than 3000 landings at that date, the inspection must be performed before exceeding 3000 landings. The directive is underpinned by British Aerospace 125 Service Bulletin 32-200, which provides further details on the inspection and remedial actions necessary to address the identified issue. The legislation does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, but compliance is enforced through the regulatory authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes a directive concerning the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes, identified as AD/HS 125/65 (section 1). This directive mandates inspections of the main landing gear jack attachment bracket to address reported instances of cracking, which could potentially compromise the aircraft's ability to lower its main landing gear (section 2). The directive applies to all models HS/DH/BH 125 that incorporate long range fuel tanks with a specific modification number 255640 (section 3). Under this directive, the applicable compliance timelines are clearly outlined. Aircraft that have accumulated more than 3000 landings as of 31 July 1984 must undergo the required inspection no later than 30 September 1984 (section 4(a)). For aircraft with fewer than 3000 landings at that date, the inspection must be completed before the aircraft reaches 3000 landings (section 4(b)). The directive references British Aerospace 125 Service Bulletin 32-200 as the document to be followed for compliance (section 5). Compliance with AD/HS 125/65 is imperative for all governed parties to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. The directive necessitates that operators and owners of the specified British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes conduct the necessary inspections and repairs to prevent any potential failure of the main landing gear jack attachment bracket. This requirement is underpinned by the documented instances of cracking that could lead to critical operational failures (section 6). Failure to comply with these directives can result in severe consequences, including grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections and repairs are satisfactorily completed, and potential legal actions by CASA (section 7). Failure to adhere to the provisions of AD/HS 125/65 can lead to significant penalties and consequences. Civil penalties may be imposed for non-compliance, including fines. In more serious cases, where non-compliance results in safety hazards or incidents, criminal charges may be brought against individuals or entities responsible for the oversight of the aircraft (section 8). The exact penalties are not specified in the directive itself but can be found in other parts of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which may include fines up to several thousand Australian dollars, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance (section 9).