AD/JETSTREAM/20 Amdt 1 - NLG Retraction Jack Attachment Bracket and Bolts

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B10888, addresses the safety concerns associated with in-service failures of the bolts securing the nose gear retraction jack attachment bracket on specific British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument was enacted to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft operations by mandating corrective actions for identified structural issues. The instrument, issued under the authority of the Australian Government and administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aims to ensure that aircraft meet stringent safety standards by providing clear directives for compliance. The policy objective is to mitigate the risk of in-service failures that could potentially compromise the safety of air travel. The specific problem addressed by this legislative instrument involves the in-service failures of bolts on the nose gear retraction jack attachment bracket, which were reported on HP137 Mk1 and Jetstream Series 200 aircraft with Modification 5127, as well as Jetstream Series 3100 and Series 3200 with constructors numbers 601 through 840. To address this, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were amended to require action in accordance with the manufacturer’s specified bulletins, ensuring that the aircraft are maintained to the required safety standards. This legislative measure ensures that all relevant aircraft are compliant with the necessary safety directives, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issues the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, with Part 39 - 105 including a schedule of airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aircraft. This particular legislative instrument, F2006B10888, pertains to the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, specifically addressing the nose gear retraction jack attachment bracket and bolts for certain aircraft models. The directive applies to all HP137 Mk1 and Jetstream Series 200 aircraft that have undergone Modification 5127, as well as Jetstream Series 3100 and Series 3200 with constructors numbers ranging from 601 to 840. The amendment requires compliance with BAe Mandatory ASB 53-A-JA 870510 and notes that compliance with BAe SB 53-JM 5285 constitutes terminating action for this directive. The directive became effective from 2 March 1995, following reports of in-service failures of the bolts securing the nose gear retraction jack attachment bracket, and aims to align the directive with the manufacturer’s optional terminating action. This regulatory measure underscores the Commonwealth's commitment to aviation safety by mandating specific actions to rectify identified safety issues.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, under the Airworthiness Directives for British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, specifically Amendment 1 for the NLG Retraction Jack Attachment Bracket and Bolts (AD/JETSTREAM/20Amdt 1), are contained in Section 105 of the Regulations. This section mandates actions concerning the landing gear system of certain Jetstream aircraft models to ensure safety and compliance with manufacturer guidelines. Section 105 requires operators of HP137 Mk1 and Jetstream Series 200 aircraft with Modification 5127, as well as Jetstream Series 3100 and Series 3200 with constructors numbers 601 through 840, to adhere to British Aerospace's Mandatory Airworthiness Service Bulletin (ASB) 53-A-JA 870510. Operators must ensure compliance with this directive by taking action as specified in the requirement document, with landings counted from the date of previous certified compliance until compliance with British Aerospace's Service Bulletin 53-JM 5285, which constitutes terminating action for this directive. The obligations imposed by this Airworthiness Directive on the operators and entities it governs are to implement the required modifications and actions specified in British Aerospace's ASB 53-A-JA 870510. This includes ensuring that the NLG Retraction Jack Attachment Bracket and Bolts are addressed to prevent in-service failures. Operators must document compliance and maintain records of actions taken in accordance with the directive. Additionally, the directive mandates that operators ensure their aircraft meet the specified compliance requirements before continuing operations, and that they monitor their aircraft's landings to ensure adherence to the stipulated compliance period. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can result in significant consequences. Under Section 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance can lead to civil penalties, which may include fines. The exact penalty is not specified in the directive but can be determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) based on the severity and circumstances of the breach. Additionally, continued operation of an aircraft that does not meet the airworthiness standards set forth in this directive could result in enforcement actions, including grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. Such actions are taken to ensure the safety of passengers and crew and to maintain the integrity of the aviation system.