Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, include a legislative instrument (F2006B10523) designed to address safety concerns in civil aviation by setting forth specific airworthiness directives. This particular directive, AD/HS 125/81, pertains to the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the issue of aileron mass balance side plate attachment lug cracking. This problem was introduced to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft operations by preventing potential displacement of the aileron mass balance side plate, which could interfere with aileron movement and compromise flight safety. The directive mandates actions in accordance with British Aerospace 125 S.B. 57-66, Rev 1.12/86, requiring compliance prior to 31 March 1987 and thereafter every 600 hours of time in service until repaired according to Repair Scheme 25WG/R143. The Australian Government, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, enacts these regulations to maintain the highest standards of airworthiness and safety in the national airspace. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure that all British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes are maintained in a safe and airworthy condition, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public from the risks associated with aircraft malfunctions due to structural integrity issues.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the application of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives concerning British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all models of the BAe 125 series up to and including the -700 model. The primary focus of this directive is to address the issue of cracking in the attachment lugs of the aileron mass balance side plate, which, if left unaddressed, could potentially lead to displacement of the side plate and subsequently interfere with aileron movement. Compliance with the directive requires adherence to British Aerospace 125 Service Bulletin 57-66, revision 1.12/86, and necessitates corrective action prior to 31 March 1987. Following this initial compliance, the directive mandates that the specified action be taken every 600 hours of time in service until the repairs are completed in accordance with Repair Scheme 25WG/R143. This regulation ensures that the aircraft maintain a requisite level of safety and operational integrity within the Commonwealth of Australia.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, establish specific Airworthiness Directives for various aircraft, including the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes. Section AD/HS 125/81 pertains to the aileron mass balance, specifically addressing the issue of cracking on the side plate attachment lugs. This directive applies to all models from the initial up to and including the -700 model. The requirement is to take action in accordance with British Aerospace 125 S.B. 57-66, Revision 1.12/86, which outlines the specific procedures and checks needed to ensure the aircraft's airworthiness. The obligations imposed by this directive necessitate adherence to the specified maintenance and repair protocols. Operators of the BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes must ensure that the aileron mass balance is inspected and, if necessary, repaired before 31 March 1987. After this date, the inspections and repairs must be performed every 600 hours of time in service, or as dictated by the specific repair scheme 25WG/R143. This directive ensures that any potential issues with the aileron mass balance are identified and rectified to prevent operational hazards. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in AD/HS 125/81 can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces these regulations strictly, and non-compliance can result in enforcement actions. These actions may include fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of the aircraft until the required maintenance is completed. The severity of the penalties depends on the extent of non-compliance and the risk posed to aviation safety. Ensuring adherence to these directives is crucial for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the British Aerospace BAe 125 Series Aeroplanes.