AD/JETSTREAM/32 - Emergency Selector Valve

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, encompasses the Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive AD/JETSTREAM/32, issued in 1989, addresses an identified issue with the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) series aeroplanes, focusing on the emergency selector valve. This legislation was enacted to ensure the airworthiness and safety of Jetstream aircraft by mandating specific maintenance actions following an incident where the emergency selector valve jammed, causing the flaps and main landing gear to malfunction. The directive aims to rectify the problem by requiring the replacement of the nylon detent ball with a stainless steel one, as outlined in the Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin No. 29-A-JA881143. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with all model Jetstream series 3100 aircraft required to adhere to the specified maintenance action within 300 hours of total flight time after 15 June 1989. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to establish and enforce standards for the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. This particular regulation was introduced by CASA to address safety concerns identified in the Jetstream series aeroplanes, specifically relating to the emergency selector valve. The policy objective is to mitigate risks associated with valve malfunctions, ensuring the reliability and safety of the aircraft in emergency situations. The directive references a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Airworthiness Directive (AD 010-03-89) to standardise maintenance procedures across jurisdictions, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to all model Jetstream series 3100 aircraft. This legislation applies to the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, mandating actions to ensure their airworthiness and safety. The directive requires compliance with Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin No. 29-A-JA881143, which stipulates the replacement of the nylon emergency selector valve ball with one made of stainless steel to prevent the jamming incident that occurred due to the distortion of the nylon ball. The compliance period for this action is within 300 hours of total flight time after 15 June 1989. This legislation is issued under the Commonwealth of Australia and is applicable nationally, ensuring the safety standards are uniformly enforced across the country. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this directive, and the application extends to all Jetstream series 3100 aircraft operating within Australian jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Part 39 - 105) establish specific airworthiness directives for various aircraft types, including the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes. This particular directive (AD/JETSTREAM/32) pertains to the emergency selector valve of these aircraft (Section 1). It mandates compliance with the procedures outlined in Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin No. 29-A-JA881143, referencing the UK Civil Aviation Authority's AD 010-03-89 for further guidance (Section 2). The requirement is to replace the nylon detent ball in the emergency selector valve with one made of stainless steel to prevent it from distorting and ensure the valve's serviceability (Section 3). Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 300 hours of total accumulated flight time after 15 June 1989 (Section 4). The obligations imposed by this directive on the aircraft operators and maintenance personnel are clear and precise. Operators must ensure that the specified maintenance action is carried out on all applicable Jetstream 3100 aircraft within the stipulated timeframe. Maintenance personnel must follow the detailed procedures provided in the referenced Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin and the UK CAA AD to perform the required replacement accurately. Operators are also responsible for documenting the maintenance action to provide evidence of compliance with the airworthiness directive (Section 5). Failure to comply with this airworthiness directive can result in serious consequences. Non-compliance may render the aircraft non-airworthy, potentially leading to grounding of the aircraft by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). In addition, operators and maintenance personnel found in breach of this directive could face civil penalties. The maximum penalty for each offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 is generally determined by the severity of the breach and could include fines of up to $210,000 for corporations and $42,000 for individuals. Additionally, criminal penalties may apply, depending on the circumstances and the discretion of the court, potentially leading to imprisonment (Section 6).