AD/HS 125/98 - Electrical Power - Starting - Hartman Contactor

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, address the issue of potential electrical failures in British Aerospace BAe 125 Series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument was enacted to ensure that specific models of BAe 125 aircraft, particularly those equipped with Garrett TFE 731 engines, adhere to strict safety protocols to prevent electrical faults that could compromise flight safety. The regulation is designed to mitigate the risks associated with overheating and short circuits to earth, which can occur in the Hartman contactor of these aircraft, thereby protecting both the aircraft and its occupants. This directive is a response to identified safety gaps and aims to enforce compliance with safety bulletins issued by the manufacturer, British Aerospace. Enacted by the Australian Government under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, this regulation seeks to ensure that all applicable aircraft are maintained to the highest safety standards. The objective is to prevent incidents arising from electrical system failures, which could lead to catastrophic outcomes. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is responsible for implementing these directives, ensuring that operators and maintenance personnel are aware of and comply with the specified requirements to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, apply to all BAe 125 series aircraft equipped with Garrett TFE 731 engines. This includes both Series 700 aircraft manufactured before modification 256990, which are subject to the cold start battery series contactor directive, and Series 600 aircraft with serial number 256070. The regulation mandates compliance actions in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletins SB 24-268-3223A and B Revision 1, with Part A applying to Series 700 aircraft and Part B to Series 600 aircraft. The regulation requires these actions to be completed prior to 22 June 1989. This legislative instrument is designed to mitigate the risk of overheating and short circuits to earth associated with the Hartman contactor in the aircraft's electrical power starting system. The scope of the Act is limited to the specified aircraft models and does not extend to other aircraft types or components. The regulation is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring compliance across the Commonwealth of Australia.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 (subsections 39.105.010 to 39.105.030), set forth the requirements for airworthiness directives, such as AD/HS 125/98 for British Aerospace BAe 125 series aeroplanes. This directive pertains to the electrical power system, more precisely, the Hartman Contactor in aircraft equipped with Garrett TFE 731 engines. The directive mandates specific actions to be taken to address known issues with the contactor that can lead to overheating and short circuits. The primary requirement of AD/HS 125/98 is to ensure the aircraft's electrical system is modified to prevent the aforementioned issues. For BAe 125 series aircraft with Garrett TFE 731 engines, the action must be taken in accordance with BAe Service Bulletin 24-268-3223A and B Revision 1 part A. For Series 700 aircraft pre mod 256990, the requirement is to follow the instructions in BAe SB 24-268-3223A and B Revision 1 part B. These modifications must be completed before 22 June 1989. The obligations imposed on the operators and owners of the affected aircraft include ensuring that the specified modifications are carried out by appropriately qualified personnel. Operators must ensure that the aircraft is compliant with the airworthiness directive before returning it to service. This involves verifying that all modifications have been correctly and thoroughly implemented as per the service bulletins. It is also the operator's responsibility to maintain records of compliance with the directive, including any inspections and maintenance work performed. Failure to comply with AD/HS 125/98 may result in serious safety risks, including potential engine failure or fire. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an airworthiness directive is an offence. The maximum penalty for an individual can be significant, with fines up to $16,500 for a basic offence and potentially higher for aggravated offences. Additionally, corporate entities can face fines that are multiple times higher, reflecting the potential severity of the consequences of non-compliance. The penalties are intended to ensure that operators and owners take airworthiness directives seriously and prioritise safety.