Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) which serve to ensure the safety of civil aviation. The directive AD/JETSTREAM/19 pertains to the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes and addresses a specific issue concerning the cracking of the Main Landing Gear (MLG) Cylinder Upper Attach Lug. This legislation was enacted to address the safety concerns arising from such structural issues, ensuring that all relevant aircraft are maintained to the highest safety standards. The directive was issued by the Commonwealth of Australia under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, reflecting the policy objective of maintaining rigorous oversight of aircraft airworthiness to prevent potential hazards. The AD/JETSTREAM/19 was introduced following fatigue testing where a crack was identified in the MLG Cylinder Upper Attach Lug of the British Aerospace BAe 3100 series. The directive mandates corrective action in line with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB 32-JA860812 and compliance must be achieved according to the specified requirement document. This directive is integral in maintaining the structural integrity of the aircraft, thereby ensuring the safety of all those on board and addressing a critical gap in aircraft maintenance protocols.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 to ensure the safety of British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes. Specifically, AD/JETSTREAM/19 targets the issue of cracking in the main landing gear (MLG) cylinder upper attach lug, identified during fatigue testing. This directive applies to the specific aircraft models and serial numbers as listed in the requirement document, ensuring that all relevant operators adhere to the specified corrective actions. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be carried out in accordance with the instructions provided in the requirement document. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, applying across all jurisdictions within Australia. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions from this directive, and it extends its application through subordinate instruments, ensuring that all relevant aircraft within the scope of the directive are addressed comprehensively.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, Section 105, outlines specific Airworthiness Directives for the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, with a particular focus on addressing issues identified in the main landing gear (MLG) cylinder upper attach lug (AD/JETSTREAM/19). The directive specifies that the action required to rectify this issue must be carried out in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin 32-JA860812 (SB 32-JA860812). The directive also mandates that compliance with the requirements should be verified as per the details provided in the requirement document. The directive applies to the aircraft models as listed in the requirement document, ensuring that all relevant aircraft are subject to the necessary inspections and repairs. The obligations imposed by this legislation on the parties involved, primarily aircraft operators and maintenance providers, are clear and specific. Aircraft operators must ensure that all applicable aircraft within their fleet are identified and assessed for compliance with the directive. They are responsible for arranging and overseeing the necessary inspections and repairs to the MLG cylinder upper attach lug, ensuring that any required actions are carried out by certified maintenance personnel. Maintenance providers, on the other hand, must adhere strictly to the guidelines provided in British Aerospace SB 32-JA860812, ensuring that the repairs are performed to the required standards and that all work is properly documented. Both parties are obligated to maintain accurate records of the compliance actions taken, which may be subject to audit by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Failure to comply with the provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically the Airworthiness Directives, can lead to serious consequences. The potential for civil and criminal penalties exists for non-compliance, which can include substantial fines and imprisonment. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, any person who contravenes an Airworthiness Directive can be liable for a civil penalty of up to $105,000 for individuals and $525,000 for corporations. Additionally, in cases of serious non-compliance, individuals can face imprisonment for up to two years, while corporations can be fined up to five times the maximum civil penalty. These stringent penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the regulatory requirements set out by CASA to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft involved.