AD/JETSTREAM/29 Amdt 5 - Flap Torque Tube Universal Joints

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address the safety of civil aviation through the implementation of Airworthiness Directives. Enacted by the Australian Government, this legislation aims to ensure the safety of aircraft operations by setting mandatory safety standards and compliance requirements. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) oversees the enforcement of these regulations, ensuring that all aircraft meet the necessary safety criteria. One such directive, AD/JETSTREAM/29 Amendment 5, pertains to the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, and was introduced to address the risk of flap torque tube universal joint failures, which could potentially lead to asymmetric flap deployment. The amendment was effective from 9 December 1993, providing an alternative modification and setting forth specific compliance requirements to mitigate this safety concern. This legislative instrument, F2006B10896, under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, was designed to fill a critical gap in aircraft safety by mandating specific actions to prevent potential mechanical failures in Jetstream aircraft. The policy objective is to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation by ensuring that all aircraft are regularly inspected and maintained according to stringent safety directives. The introduction of Amendment 5 to the AD/JETSTREAM/29 directive exemplifies the continuous efforts by CASA to adapt and enhance safety measures, responding to identified risks and providing operators with clear, actionable directives to maintain airworthiness.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to all aircraft within the scope of the regulation, including HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Series 3100 aircraft, as well as Jetstream Series 3200 aircraft up to and including constructors number 956. The regulation is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and pertains specifically to the maintenance and safety directives concerning the flap torque tube universal joints in British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) series aeroplanes. Compliance with the requirements set forth in the regulation, which mandate adherence to specific British Aerospace Mandatory Service Bulletins, is crucial for ensuring the airworthiness of these aircraft. The regulation is effective from 9 December 1993 and continues until such time as Part 1 or Part 2 of British Aerospace Service Bulletin 27-JA920340 is completed, which then serves as terminating action for the requirements of this directive. The regulation's application is not restricted by geographical or jurisdictional boundaries within Australia but is applicable nationally, ensuring a uniform approach to aviation safety across the country.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address the safety directives concerning British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, with the particular focus on the flap torque tube universal joints in Amendment 5 (Section 13/93). This amendment applies to all HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Series 3100 aircraft, as well as Jetstream Series 3200 aircraft up to and including constructors number 956. The directive mandates that the actions specified in British Aerospace Mandatory Service Bulletins 27-A-JA 881041 Revision 2 and 27-JM 5313 Revision 2, or 27-JM 5322, must be undertaken. It is noteworthy that the completion of either Part 1 or Part 2 of British Aerospace Service Bulletin 27-JA920340 serves as a terminating action for the requirements of this directive. These regulations impose specific obligations on the operators and maintenance entities of the affected aircraft. The primary requirement is to comply with the detailed instructions provided in the aforementioned British Aerospace Service Bulletins. Compliance is to be maintained with flying hours counted from the previous certified compliance until the completion of either Part 1 or Part 2 of Service Bulletin 27-JA920340. This ensures that the aircraft remain airworthy and that the risk of flap torque shaft universal joint failures, which could lead to asymmetric flap deployment, is mitigated. The Civil Aviation Regulations also outline potential consequences for non-compliance. While the specific legal penalties are not detailed in the text, it is implied that failure to adhere to these directives could result in serious safety risks and potential regulatory action. Non-compliance could lead to aircraft being grounded, operations being suspended, or other enforcement actions being taken by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Additionally, there could be implications for the certification of airworthiness, which are critical for the continued operation of the aircraft in commercial service.