AD/HS 748/1 - Landing Gear Selector Lever Assembly

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through the legislative instrument F2006B10543, introduced an Airworthiness Directive to address safety concerns associated with the British Aerospace (Hawker Siddeley) HS 748 Series aeroplanes. This directive specifically targets the landing gear selector lever assembly, requiring action in accordance with the Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin HS748-A-32-95. The directive was enacted to mitigate risks identified by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which had reported incidents of the landing gear selector lever cam detaching from the shaft, leading to potential malfunctions in landing gear extension and retraction. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for HS748 aircraft, requiring corrective action within a specified timeframe of 250 landings after 10 November 1994 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 1500 hours of operational service. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring the integrity and functionality of the landing gear system. The legislative instrument is a product of the Australian Parliament, reflecting the nation’s commitment to stringent aviation safety standards. This directive aligns with international safety protocols and the overarching goal of maintaining the highest standards of airworthiness for aircraft operating within Australian airspace. By incorporating these measures, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 aim to prevent incidents that could compromise flight safety and protect both crew and passengers.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all aircraft that are of the British Aerospace (Hawker Siddeley) HS 748 series, a type of aeroplane. This regulation mandates compliance with Airworthiness Directives (AD) concerning the landing gear selector lever assembly for this aircraft model. The requirement is that any action stipulated in the Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin HS748-A-32-95 must be undertaken, referencing the UK Civil Aviation Authority's AD 007-07-94. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 250 landings following 10 November 1994 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 1500 hours of time in service. This regulation is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all HS748 aircraft operating within Australia adhere to these safety standards. The regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, thus applying universally to the specified aircraft model within its jurisdictional reach.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/HS 748/1 concerning the British Aerospace (Hawker Siddeley) HS 748 Series Aeroplanes, mandate the maintenance and operational requirements for the landing gear selector lever assembly. Section 39-105 of the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives outlines that all Model HS748 aircraft must comply with the action specified in Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin HS748-A-32-95 (section 1). This action is required to address incidents reported by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), where the landing gear selector lever cam detached from the shaft, leading to potential malfunctions in landing gear extension or retraction (section 2). Compliance must be achieved within 250 landings after 10 November 1994, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 1,500 hours of time in service (section 3). The obligations imposed by this regulation include adherence to the specified maintenance action for the landing gear selector lever assembly to prevent the aforementioned incidents. Operators of the HS748 aircraft must ensure that the maintenance bulletin HS748-A-32-95 is followed meticulously, verifying that the landing gear selector lever cam is securely attached to the shaft. This requirement is crucial to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensure safety during operations (section 4). Additionally, operators must keep detailed records of compliance, documenting the actions taken and the intervals at which these actions are performed to demonstrate adherence to the regulation. Failure to comply with the provisions set out in AD/HS 748/1 may result in severe consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions, including fines or other penalties as prescribed by the Act. The maximum penalties for breaches of civil aviation regulations can be substantial, reflecting the critical importance of adhering to safety directives. Operators found in breach of these requirements may face legal action, which could result in fines up to several thousand Australian dollars, depending on the severity and frequency of the breach (section 5). Furthermore, failure to maintain the landing gear selector lever assembly as required could compromise the safety of the aircraft, potentially leading to more severe aviation incidents or accidents.