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/31 Inverter Circuit Protection 1/89
Applicability: All Jetstream 3100 series aircraft constructors numbers 696 to 794, 796 to 799, 801 to
804, 806 to 809, 811 to 813, 815 to 817, and 820.
Requirement: Action in accordance with BAe ASB 24-A-JA7672A. Compliance: Prior to 26 April 1989.
Background: BAe have advised that the 26 Vac output cable of AII inverters installed by modification JM 7518 are not protected by a thermal fuse or circuit breaker. ASB 24- A-JA 7672A installs circuit breaker protection for the 26 Vac output cable.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, form a comprehensive regulatory framework governing civil aviation operations within Australia. Part 39, specifically, deals with various safety mandates and operational standards, including the issuance of airworthiness directives to ensure the continued safe operation of aircraft. One such directive, AD/JETSTREAM/31, pertains to the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, addressing the need for inverter circuit protection. This directive was introduced to mitigate risks associated with unprotected 26 Vac output cables in AII inverters installed by modification JM 7518, as identified by British Aerospace. The objective of this directive is to ensure compliance with BAe ASB 24-A-JA7672A by installing circuit breaker protection for the 26 Vac output cable, thereby enhancing the overall safety and reliability of the aircraft.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has mandated this directive to ensure that all Jetstream 3100 series aircraft within specified constructor numbers receive the necessary modifications to protect against potential electrical faults. The policy objective is to maintain and enhance the safety standards of civil aviation by proactively addressing identified vulnerabilities in aircraft systems.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, addresses the airworthiness directives for aircraft, with a focus on ensuring that specific models meet stringent safety standards. In this context, the regulation applies to Jetstream 3100 series aeroplanes, more precisely to those with constructor numbers ranging from 696 to 794, 796 to 799, 801 to 804, 806 to 809, 811 to 813, 815 to 817, and 820. The regulation mandates that these aircraft must comply with British Aerospace Airworthiness Service Bulletin ASB 24-A-JA7672A, which provides a solution to a previously identified safety issue concerning the inverter circuit protection. This directive is binding on all entities that construct or maintain these specific Jetstream series aircraft, ensuring that the required modifications are implemented before 26 April 1989 to maintain compliance and airworthiness. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, as it applies to all Jetstream 3100 series aircraft operating within Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives for various aircraft types, including the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes. The directive AD/JETSTREAM/31 pertains to the inverter circuit protection for certain Jetstream 3100 series aircraft (section 1). This directive applies to all Jetstream 3100 series aircraft with constructor numbers ranging from 696 to 794, 796 to 799, 801 to 804, 806 to 809, 811 to 813, 815 to 817, and 820 (section 2). The requirement under this directive is that action must be taken in accordance with BAe ASB 24-A-JA7672A (section 3).
The directive mandates that compliance must be achieved prior to 26 April 1989 (section 4). This means that all affected aircraft must have implemented the necessary modifications to install circuit breaker protection for the 26 Vac output cable of AII inverters installed by modification JM 7518, as recommended by BAe ASB 24-A-JA7672A. This directive is a critical safety measure designed to prevent potential issues arising from unprotected electrical circuits, ensuring the continued airworthiness of the specified aircraft models.
The obligations under this directive are clear and require compliance from aircraft operators and maintenance personnel. They must ensure that the specified modifications are completed before the mandated date. Failure to comply with the directive could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential grounding and significant operational disruptions. Furthermore, the directive imposes a responsibility on aircraft manufacturers and maintenance organisations to ensure that all modifications are performed correctly and that the aircraft meet the required safety standards.
Non-compliance with the provisions of this directive can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 include provisions for both civil and criminal penalties for breaches. Civil penalties can include fines and enforcement actions taken by CASA, while criminal penalties may involve imprisonment and/or significant fines for individuals and companies found guilty of non-compliance. The specific penalties are detailed within the broader regulatory framework, but they serve as a deterrent against any failure to adhere to the airworthiness directives established to maintain the safety of civil aviation.