AD/HS 748/21 - Corrosion Prevention and Control Program

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, establish a schedule of airworthiness directives aimed at ensuring the safety and reliability of civil aviation within Australia. One such directive, AD/HS 748/21, pertains to the British Aerospace (Hawker Siddeley) HS 748 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on a Corrosion Prevention and Control Program. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this regulation was introduced to address the problem of structural degradation due to corrosion in British Aerospace HS 748 aircraft. The policy objective is to mandate compliance with a specific corrosion prevention and control programme as outlined in the Jetstream Aircraft Corrosion Prevention and Control Programme document, ensuring that these aircraft maintain their airworthiness standards as determined by the relevant thresholds. The directive references UK CAA AD 002-04-96, indicating alignment with international safety protocols.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for British Aerospace (Hawker Siddeley) HS 748 Series Aeroplanes, as detailed in AD/HS 748/21 concerning the Corrosion Prevention and Control Program. This legislation applies to all British Aerospace HS 748 aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia. The Act mandates adherence to the Jetstream Aircraft Corrosion Prevention and Control Programme document, reference JS/CPCP/02 dated 1 April 1996, with compliance required at the thresholds specified within the document. This directive is in alignment with the UK Civil Aviation Authority's AD 002-04-96. The overarching objective is to ensure that the structural integrity of the affected aircraft is maintained by preventing corrosion, which could compromise safety. The Act extends its application to all relevant aircraft operating under Australian jurisdiction, ensuring a uniform standard of airworthiness across the Commonwealth.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes AD/HS 748/21, pertaining to the British Aerospace (Hawker Siddeley) HS 748 Series Aeroplanes. This directive mandates the implementation of a corrosion prevention and control program (section 105) to address the structural integrity of the affected aircraft. This directive applies to all British Aerospace HS 748 aircraft and necessitates compliance with the Jetstream Aircraft Corrosion Prevention and Control Programme document, JS/CPCP/02 dated 1 April 1996 (section 105). The directive references UK CAA AD 002-04-96 for additional guidance. The obligations under this directive require aircraft owners and operators to implement the corrosion prevention and control measures as specified in the referenced document. This involves a detailed inspection and maintenance program to ensure that the aircraft's structural components are free from corrosion and maintained in a condition that does not compromise safety. Compliance must be achieved at the specific thresholds outlined in the requirement document (section 105). This means that aircraft maintenance must adhere strictly to the inspection intervals and maintenance protocols provided in the JS/CPCP/02 document to ensure the prevention and control of corrosion. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/HS 748/21 can result in severe consequences. Non-compliance may lead to the aircraft being grounded until the required maintenance is performed, potentially causing significant operational disruptions. Moreover, operating an aircraft that does not meet the airworthiness standards set by CASA can result in enforcement actions by the authority. The potential penalties for breaches include fines and legal action, which can have significant financial and reputational repercussions for the aircraft owner or operator. Additionally, continued operation of a non-compliant aircraft poses safety risks that could result in criminal charges if an accident occurs due to corrosion-related structural failure.