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/30 Electrical Power - Static Inverters 1/89
Applicability: Jetstream 3100 series aircraft constructor numbers 601-695 inclusive fitted with Leland model ASH 674-3 and 674-33 static inverters, but excluding constructor numbers 647, 656, 659 and 667.
Requirement: Action in accordance with BAe Jetstream ASB 24-A-JA880640.
Compliance: Inverters that have exceeded 5000 hrs TIS but less than 10,000 hrs TIS are to be replaced before 26 May 1989;
Inverters that have exceeded 10,000 hrs TIS are to be replaced before 26 February 1989.
Note: Refer also to Requirement document para D for amplification of compliance details.
Background: Operators have reported in-flight incidents of inverter failure due to overheat and smoking of components.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Parliament of Australia to establish and regulate civil aviation safety standards across the country, ensuring the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 addresses Airworthiness Directives, with the objective of maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation. One such directive, AD/JETSTREAM/30, pertains to the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) series aeroplanes and mandates the replacement of static inverters in these aircraft to prevent in-flight incidents arising from inverter failures. The directive applies to Jetstream 3100 series aircraft with specific constructor numbers and excludes certain others, with precise timelines for replacement based on the total hours of operation of the inverters. The policy objective is to enhance flight safety by mitigating the risk of in-flight inverter failures, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and aircraft integrity.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertains to directives concerning the airworthiness of British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes. This regulation applies to Jetstream 3100 series aircraft with constructor numbers ranging from 601 to 695 inclusive, which are equipped with Leland model ASH 674-3 and 674-33 static inverters. Notably, constructor numbers 647, 656, 659, and 667 are excluded from this directive. The regulation mandates compliance with BAe Jetstream ASB 24-A-JA880640, which stipulates that static inverters with between 5000 and 10,000 hours of total in-service time (TIS) must be replaced before 26 May 1989, while those exceeding 10,000 hours TIS must be replaced before 26 February 1989. The directive aims to address reported incidents of inverter failure, overheating, and smoking of components during flight. The compliance details are further elaborated in the requirement document, specifically paragraph D.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in Part 39 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, detail specific safety requirements for certain aircraft types. In this case, the legislation focuses on the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) series aeroplanes, specifically AD/JETSTREAM/30, which pertains to electrical power and static inverters (Section 1/89). This directive applies to Jetstream 3100 series aircraft with constructor numbers ranging from 601 to 695, excluding certain numbers like 647, 656, 659, and 667, if they are fitted with Leland model ASH 674-3 and 674-33 static inverters. The primary requirement of this directive is that the action must be taken in accordance with the BAe Jetstream ASB 24-A-JA880640 (Section 1/89).
Operators of the affected aircraft must comply with the specified maintenance actions for the static inverters. Inverters that have accumulated between 5000 and 10,000 hours of total in-service time (TIS) must be replaced by 26 May 1989, whereas those with more than 10,000 hours TIS must be replaced by 26 February 1989. These compliance requirements are designed to address incidents of inverter failure and overheating, which have been reported during flights (Section 1/89). Further details and clarification on the compliance process can be found in the requirement document, specifically paragraph D.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators must ensure that the static inverters in their Jetstream 3100 series aircraft are either replaced or have their service hours appropriately monitored and recorded. The directive mandates adherence to the prescribed timelines for replacement based on the total in-service time of the inverters. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in serious safety concerns, potentially leading to in-flight incidents similar to those previously reported. The directive underscores the importance of timely maintenance and adherence to safety standards to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft.
In terms of penalties and consequences, while the specific regulations do not detail the exact penalties for non-compliance, breaches of airworthiness directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to significant civil or criminal consequences. Non-compliance with these directives can result in enforcement actions by CASA, which may include fines, grounding of the aircraft, or even criminal charges for individuals or corporations found responsible for the breach. The seriousness of these consequences highlights the critical nature of adhering to the specified maintenance and compliance requirements to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its passengers.