AD/HS 125/69 - Flap Hinge Bolt - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through legislative instrument F2006B10509, address a specific problem related to the airworthiness of British Aerospace BAe 125 Series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, this legislation aims to ensure that certain modifications are implemented on the flap hinge bolts of these aircraft to maintain safety standards. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority issued Airworthiness Directive AD/HS 125/69 to address the identified issue, although it was subsequently removed from the register as the aircraft model is no longer on the register. The policy objective underpinning this directive is to enhance the overall safety of civil aviation by mandating necessary structural modifications to prevent potential hazards associated with the specified component.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, pertain to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, and this legislative instrument applies to the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes. This particular regulation concerns modifications to the flap hinge bolt, as outlined in AD/HS 125/69 dated 7/85, although it should be noted that this directive has been removed from the listing as the aircraft model is no longer on the register. The regulation applies to all entities and persons responsible for the maintenance, operation, and airworthiness of the BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring adherence to safety standards mandated by CASA. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, as they are governed by federal laws and enforced by CASA, which has jurisdiction over civil aviation safety across Australia. While the specific AD/HS 125/69 directive concerning the BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes has been removed due to the aircraft model's deregistration, the broader framework under which these regulations operate can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments issued by CASA. These instruments may introduce further specifications or amendments to ensure compliance with evolving safety standards and operational practices, thus maintaining the integrity and safety of civil aviation within Australia.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes a directive (AD/HS 125/69) related to British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes (Section 39). This directive, originally titled "Flap Hinge Bolt - Modification," mandated modifications to the flap hinge bolts of the specified aircraft model to ensure safety and airworthiness (Section 105). However, this directive has since been removed from the listing because the aircraft model in question is no longer on the register (Section 7/85DM). The obligations imposed by the AD/HS 125/69 directive on the relevant parties, such as aircraft operators and maintenance providers, would have been to ensure that the specified modifications to the flap hinge bolts were carried out in accordance with the detailed instructions provided by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These instructions would have included specifications for the replacement or reinforcement of the bolts to prevent potential failure that could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft during flight (Section 105). Failure to comply with the requirements of this directive could have led to serious safety issues, potentially resulting in significant damage to the aircraft or even catastrophic failure in flight. In the event of non-compliance, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority would have had the authority to take enforcement actions. These could have included fines, enforcement notices, or even grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications were made. The specific penalties and enforcement measures would be in line with the regulatory framework established by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, and could include substantial fines or other sanctions as deemed appropriate by CASA (Section 39).