AD/HS 748/10 - Door Lock Warning Electrical System Integrity Check

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through the legislative instrument F2006B10544, addresses the critical issue of maintaining the electrical door lock indication system's integrity for the British Aerospace (Hawker Siddeley) HS 748 Series Aeroplanes. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this regulation aims to ensure safety and operational reliability by enforcing regular checks on the electrical systems that indicate door lock status. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has established this directive to mandate a specific procedure for maintaining the electrical indication system integrity, thereby preventing potential safety hazards associated with door lock malfunctions. The requirement is for each aircraft to undergo an electrical indication system integrity check as per the specified British Aerospace Aircraft Group guidelines at every 'A' check following 5 January 1995. This legislative instrument underscores the commitment of the Australian government to stringent safety standards in civil aviation, aligning with international safety protocols and ensuring that the integrity of aircraft systems is consistently upheld. By referencing the UK Civil Aviation Authority's directive, it integrates global best practices into the national regulatory framework, reinforcing the overarching policy objective of safeguarding air travel safety through meticulous oversight and regular maintenance protocols.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, pertains to the safety directives applicable to British Aerospace (Hawker Siddeley) HS 748 Series Aeroplanes. The legislation mandates an electrical indication system integrity check for all HS 748 aircraft, as outlined in the Airworthiness Directive AD/HS 748/10. This requirement ensures the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft by mandating a compliance check at each 'A' check after 5 January 1995, following the British Aerospace Aircraft Group, Manchester Division HS 748 Alert Service Bulletin 52/90 Revision 1 dated 17 December 1985. The directive is underpinned by the need to maintain the integrity of the electrical door lock indication system, as referenced by the UK's CAA(UK) AD 008-07-81. This regulation applies universally to all HS 748 aircraft operating within Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The primary operative section of the legislation, AD/HS 748/10, requires all British Aerospace (Hawker Siddeley) HS 748 Series Aeroplanes to conduct an electrical indication system integrity check in accordance with the specified British Aerospace Aircraft Group service bulletin (paragraph 2.C.(2) of BAe Group, Manchester Division HS 748 Alert Service Bulletin 52/90 Revision 1 dated 17 December 1985). This directive applies to all HS 748 aircraft and must be carried out at each 'A' check after 5 January 1995. The requirement is to ensure the integrity of the electrical door lock indication system, as referenced in CAA(UK) AD 008-07-81. This means that the aircraft operators are mandated to perform this check to ascertain that the warning system for the door locks is functioning correctly and reliably. The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties or entities it governs are primarily focused on the regular and systematic maintenance and verification of the aircraft’s electrical door lock indication system. Operators must ensure that the check is performed at each scheduled 'A' check, which is a comprehensive inspection that occurs at specified intervals. This ensures that the aircraft’s safety features are always in working order and that any potential issues with the door lock warning system are identified and rectified promptly. Operators must also adhere to the procedures outlined in the referenced service bulletin, ensuring that the checks are carried out with the appropriate level of detail and precision. Failure to comply with this directive can result in significant consequences. While the specific civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text, it is clear that adherence to airworthiness directives is crucial for maintaining the safety standards required by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Non-compliance could potentially lead to aircraft being grounded, operations being suspended, or other regulatory actions being taken against the operator. In severe cases, it could also result in criminal charges if the non-compliance is deemed to have caused or contributed to an aviation incident or accident. Therefore, it is imperative that operators of HS 748 aircraft strictly adhere to the requirements set forth in AD/HS 748/10 to avoid any potential repercussions.