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/25 Electrical Power 8/88
Applicability: Serial Nos 601 to 646, 648 to 655, 657, 658, 660 to 666, 668 to 695, 697 to 708, 710
to 713, 715 to 741, 743 to 756, and 758 to 761.
Requirement: Action in accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream 3100 SB 24-A-JM7631. Compliance: Part A by 31 August 1988.
Part B by 31 September 1988.
Background: One operator reported an incident of arcing between the terminal tag of a cable and an adjacent busbar mounting bracket.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, were established to ensure the safe operation of civil aviation within the country. A particular piece of legislation within this regulatory framework is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, specifically AD/JETSTREAM/25, which was introduced to address safety concerns identified with the electrical power systems of these aircraft. This directive was necessitated by an incident where arcing was reported between a cable terminal tag and an adjacent busbar mounting bracket, posing a potential risk to the aircraft's electrical integrity and overall safety. The directive mandates compliance with specific maintenance actions outlined in British Aerospace Jetstream 3100 Service Bulletin 24-A-JM7631, with stipulated deadlines for Part A and Part B compliance to mitigate any safety risks associated with the identified issue.
The AD/JETSTREAM/25 was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority conferred by the Civil Aviation Act 1988, aiming to uphold and enhance aviation safety standards. The policy objective behind this directive is to ensure that all relevant aircraft meet the specified airworthiness standards, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the civil aviation system and protecting passengers and crew from electrical hazards. Through the enforcement of this directive, CASA demonstrates its commitment to proactive risk management and the continual improvement of aviation safety protocols.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, pertains to the airworthiness directives for certain British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series aeroplanes. This regulation applies to all aircraft within specified serial number ranges, which are identified as Serial Nos 601 to 646, 648 to 655, 657, 658, 660 to 666, 668 to 695, 697 to 708, 710 to 713, 715 to 741, 743 to 756, and 758 to 761. The directive mandates actions in accordance with British Aerospace Jetstream 3100 Service Bulletin 24-A-JM7631 to address electrical power issues, such as the reported arcing between the terminal tag of a cable and an adjacent busbar mounting bracket. Compliance with this directive is required by 31 August 1988 for Part A, and by 31 September 1988 for Part B, ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the specified safety standards. This regulation extends to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, affecting all relevant aircraft operators and maintenance entities within this jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105 (specifically AD/JETSTREAM/25) mandates that certain British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) series aeroplanes must comply with specific airworthiness directives related to electrical power. The regulation applies to aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 601 to 646, 648 to 655, 657, 658, 660 to 666, 668 to 695, 697 to 708, 710 to 713, 715 to 741, 743 to 756, and 758 to 761 (Section 1). The directive requires that the action specified in British Aerospace Jetstream 3100 Service Bulletin (SB) 24-A-JM7631 must be taken to address electrical power issues. This action must be completed in two parts: Part A must be complied with by 31 August 1988, and Part B by 31 September 1988 (Section 2). The directive was prompted by a reported incident of arcing between a cable terminal tag and an adjacent busbar mounting bracket, which highlights the necessity for these safety measures (Section 3).
The obligations imposed by these regulations are clear and specific. Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the necessary modifications and checks outlined in the service bulletin are completed within the prescribed timelines. This includes conducting thorough inspections and making any required repairs or replacements to prevent electrical faults and ensure the safe operation of the aircraft. Operators must also maintain records of compliance and ensure that the aircraft are fit for flight (Section 4). The regulations require operators to keep abreast of any updates or additional directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address ongoing safety concerns (Section 5).
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives and the specified timelines can result in significant legal and operational consequences. Non-compliance may lead to the aircraft being grounded, which can result in substantial financial losses and disruptions to the operator’s schedule. Additionally, there are potential criminal and civil penalties for operators who fail to adhere to the directives. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, operators may face fines of up to $210,000 for individuals and $1,050,000 for corporations, alongside potential imprisonment for serious violations (Section 6). CASA can also take enforcement actions, including the suspension or revocation of the operator’s licence, which could effectively shut down the operator's business (Section 7).