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/18
Amdt 2
Control Cable Ball End Fittings 10/87
Applicability: As listed in the requirement document.
Requirement: Action in accordance with British Aerospace Alert SB 27-A-JA870210 Rev 1.
Compliance: a. Prior to achieving 2400 hours total time in service for those aircraft fitted with cables P/No’s 13767E413 and 13767E401; or
b. Prior to achieving 3600 hours total time in service for those aircraft fitted with cables P/No’s 137492E401, 13767E427, 13767E401, 13767E423 and 13767E414.
Background: A number of control cable assemblies from a particular source have exhibited cracks on the end face of the swaged ball fitting. Propagation of the cracking may lead to ball end failure and loss of a primary flight control. Amdt 1 to this Directive reflects the issue of Revision 1 to the S.B. which amends the applicability and corrects a Part No. Amdt 2 reflects the differing build standard of the Australian aircraft.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), address various aspects of aviation safety and operations, including the issuance of Airworthiness Directives to ensure the safety of aircraft in service. One such directive, AD/JETSTREAM/18 Amendment 2, specifically targets the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the control cable ball end fittings. This legislation was enacted to address the identified problem of cracks on the end face of the swaged ball fitting of certain control cables, which could potentially lead to ball end failure and loss of primary flight control. The policy objective of this amendment is to ensure the safety and airworthiness of affected aircraft by mandating specific actions and inspections based on the total time in service of the aircraft, thus preventing potential safety hazards. Compliance with the directive is mandatory for aircraft fitted with specified control cables, requiring inspections and corrective actions before reaching certain service hour thresholds.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertain to airworthiness directives under the purview of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with the aim of ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft in Australian airspace. This legislative instrument is applicable to British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) series aeroplanes, as outlined in the requirement document. The directive mandates compliance with British Aerospace Alert SB 27-A-JA870210 Rev 1, specifically requiring action to be taken on control cable ball end fittings. The directive applies to aircraft that have not yet reached 2400 hours of total time in service if they are fitted with certain cables, and to those that have not yet reached 3600 hours for other specified cables. This directive ensures that identified issues with control cable ball end fittings, which could potentially lead to ball end failure and loss of primary flight control, are addressed before these service hour thresholds are met. The geographic scope of this legislation is limited to Australian airspace, and it applies to all relevant aircraft registered and operating within Australia.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/JETSTREAM/18Amdt 2, pertain to the airworthiness directives for British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes. Section 105 requires that aircraft fitted with specific control cables undergo action in accordance with British Aerospace Alert SB 27-A-JA870210 Rev 1. The directive specifies that this action must be taken prior to the aircraft achieving either 2400 hours of total time in service for those fitted with certain cables (sections 13767E413 and 13767E401), or 3600 hours for those with other specified cables (sections 137492E401, 13767E427, 13767E401, 13767E423, and 13767E414). Compliance with these requirements is crucial to mitigate the risk of ball end failure and potential loss of primary flight control.
The obligations imposed by these regulations on the parties or entities they govern are clear and specific. Aircraft owners and operators must ensure that the control cables of their Jetstream Series Aeroplanes are inspected and, if necessary, replaced or repaired before the stipulated flight hours are reached. This involves adhering to the detailed instructions provided in the referenced British Aerospace Alert, which outlines the necessary procedures and inspections to ensure the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with these directives can result in the aircraft being grounded until the necessary actions are completed.
In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose both civil and criminal penalties. Entities that fail to adhere to these airworthiness directives may face fines, with the exact amount varying depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance. In more serious cases, where non-compliance has led to safety incidents or accidents, the consequences can include more severe penalties such as imprisonment. The maximum penalties for such offences are outlined in the broader civil aviation legislative framework, reflecting the importance of strict adherence to these safety requirements.