COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes
AD/JETSTREAM/11
Amdt 1
Nose Equipment Bay Spine Member 2/86
Applicability: Applicable to aircraft HP137 MK1, Jetstream Series 200 and Jetstream Series 3100, constructor’s numbers 601 to 614 inclusive, 616 and 617, unless modified in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin Jetstream 53-JM5224.
Requirement: British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin Jetstream 53-A-JAB80610. Compliance: As per Requirement Document.
Background: The manufacturer has reported that cracks have been found in the inner skin of the nose equipment bay spine in the area of the nose equipment bay door, front and rear hinge position, on the Jetstream Fatigue Test specimen. The manufacturer has now produced a modification kit which, when installed, eliminates the requirement for repetitive inspections.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by F2006B10879, were introduced by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation. This particular legislative instrument addresses the identified problem of structural integrity issues in specific models of the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes. The issue concerns cracks found in the nose equipment bay spine, particularly around the hinge positions, which could potentially compromise the safety of the aircraft during operation. The policy objective, as outlined in the alert service bulletin, is to mandate a modification that eliminates the need for repetitive inspections, thereby enhancing the reliability and safety of the affected aircraft models.
The enactment of this legislative instrument by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 aims to ensure compliance with safety directives, ultimately protecting passengers, crew, and the general public from potential hazards associated with the identified structural deficiencies. This directive is crucial in maintaining the airworthiness of the specified Jetstream models, ensuring they meet the stringent safety standards set forth by Australian aviation regulations.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertain to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which mandate certain safety measures for specific aircraft. This particular legislative instrument, AD/JETSTREAM/11 Amendment 1, applies to British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series aeroplanes, more precisely to aircraft HP137 MK1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Series 3100 with constructor's numbers 601 to 614 inclusive, and 616 and 617. The applicability of this amendment excludes aircraft that have already been modified in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin Jetstream 53-JM5224. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, extending across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring compliance with civil aviation safety standards throughout the country. The directive is grounded in the requirement to address cracks found in the inner skin of the nose equipment bay spine, necessitating adherence to British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin Jetstream 53-A-JAB80610, with compliance as outlined in the specified requirement document.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, are detailed in the Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes. The directive, identified as AD/JETSTREAM/11Amdt 1, pertains to the nose equipment bay spine member and applies to specific aircraft models: HP137 MK1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Series 3100, with constructor’s numbers ranging from 601 to 614 inclusive, and 616 and 617, unless they have been modified according to British Aerospace Service Bulletin Jetstream 53-JM5224. The directive mandates compliance with British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin Jetstream 53-A-JAB80610 and requires adherence to the specifications outlined in the requirement document.
The obligations imposed by this Act on the relevant parties include ensuring that the specified aircraft undergo the necessary modifications to address the identified cracks in the nose equipment bay spine member. This involves installing the modification kit provided by the manufacturer to eliminate the need for repetitive inspections. Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the modifications are carried out by authorised personnel and that the aircraft meet all safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Compliance with these directives is crucial to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew on board.
Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive AD/JETSTREAM/11Amdt 1 may result in serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives is considered an offence. The maximum penalty for contravening these regulations is a fine of up to 500 penalty units, which equates to approximately AUD 71,500 as of 2023. Additionally, continued operation of a non-compliant aircraft could lead to severe safety risks, resulting in potential criminal charges against the operator or responsible individuals. The enforcement of these regulations is vital to uphold the highest safety standards in civil aviation.