AD/JETSTREAM/15 - Aileron Drive Quadrant Stud Securing Nut

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serve as the primary legislative instrument governing civil aviation in the country. One of the significant components of these regulations is Part 39 - 105, which pertains to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This part includes specific directives, such as AD/JETSTREAM/15, which addresses the issue of the aileron drive quadrant stud securing nut on British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) series aeroplanes. The directive was introduced to address the problem of the nut securing the special stud on the aileron drive quadrant working loose due to inadequate peening, which could lead to aileron vibration and, in extreme cases, restrict aileron travel. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft by mandating compliance within a specified timeframe. The AD/JETSTREAM/15 directive requires all HP137 Mk 1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Series 3100 aircraft to take corrective action in accordance with BAe Jetstream S.B. 27-JM5257. Compliance must be achieved within 600 hours of time in service after 31 August 1986, or prior to 28 February 1987, whichever occurs first. This directive aims to mitigate the identified safety risk by ensuring that the securing nut is adequately peened, thereby preventing the potential for aileron malfunction.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, namely the HP137 Mk 1, Jetstream Series 200 and Jetstream Series 3100. This legislation mandates compliance with BAe Jetstream S.B. 27-JM5257, which addresses the issue of the aileron drive quadrant stud securing nut potentially working loose due to inadequate peening. The requirement necessitates corrective action within 600 hours of time in service after 31 August 1986 or prior to 28 February 1987, whichever comes first, to prevent aileron vibration and potential restriction of aileron travel. This directive underscores the Commonwealth’s commitment to ensuring air safety by setting specific maintenance standards for these aircraft models. The scope of this legislation extends to all relevant aircraft entities and persons operating these models within Australia, thereby enforcing stringent safety protocols across the aviation industry. The regulation’s application is enforced nationally, under the purview of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring compliance with safety directives is uniform across state and territory boundaries. The directive does not specify any exclusions or exemptions but mandates adherence to the stipulated timeline and actions outlined in BAe Jetstream S.B. 27-JM5257. This directive could be further elaborated or modified through subordinate instruments, ensuring the regulations remain current with technological and safety advancements.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establishes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes AD/JETSTREAM/15 concerning British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes. This directive pertains to the aileron drive quadrant stud securing nut (section 1). The primary requirement outlined in this directive is to ensure the action is in accordance with BAe Jetstream Service Bulletin (S.B.) 27-JM5257 (section 2). The directive mandates compliance within a specific timeframe: within 600 hours of time in service after 31 August 1986, or prior to 28 February 1987, whichever occurs first (section 3). The directive's applicability extends to all HP137 Mk 1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Series 3100 aircraft. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the securing nut on the aileron drive quadrant is properly peened and secured in accordance with the specified service bulletin (section 4). This involves a detailed inspection and, if necessary, corrective action to address any instances where the securing nut may have become loose, potentially leading to aileron vibration or restricted aileron travel (section 5). The directive's aim is to enhance safety by mitigating the risk of in-flight issues caused by the loosening of the securing nut. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/JETSTREAM/15 could result in significant consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the text provided, it is understood that non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to enforcement actions, which may include fines or other penalties as outlined in the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The severity of the penalties can vary based on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but it is clear that adherence to these directives is crucial to maintaining airworthiness and ensuring safety standards are upheld (section 6).