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/41 Cabin Fire Extinguisher 4/91
Applicability: Model Jetstream Series 3100 and Series 3200 Aircraft fitted with Fire Fighting Enterprises (UK) Limited cabin portable fire extinguishers manufactured between year 1985 and 1990 Week 31 inclusive.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Mandatory Fire Fighting Enterprises (UK) Ltd SB A26- 106.
Note: UK CAA AD 018-10-90 and BAe Jetstream SB 26-A-JA 901044 refer.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement Document with a revised date of 31 May 1991 for compliance (1)(a) and 31 August for compliance (1)(b).
Background: It has been confirmed by the manufacturer that due to build up of adverse tolerances in the Discharge Head Assy, it may be possible for the Frangible Plug on the syphon Tube Assy to be broken with the Safety Catch down in the secure position. This will allow the extinguishant to escape into the Discharge Head void.
Compliance time required by the UK CAA extended by four months.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, operating under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, introduced a specific Airworthiness Directive (AD) to address a safety concern in British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes. The AD, identified as AD/JETSTREAM/41, targets the cabin fire extinguishers on Jetstream Series 3100 and 3200 aircraft manufactured between 1985 and 1990. The problem identified was a potential risk of the frangible plug on the syphon tube assembly breaking, which could lead to the extinguishant escaping into the discharge head void. The policy objective was to ensure the safety of these aircraft by mandating compliance with specific actions as outlined in the Requirement Document. This directive was essential to mitigate risks and maintain the airworthiness standards required by the Civil Aviation Regulations.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning Airworthiness Directives, pertains to British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series aeroplanes, focusing on the safety directive AD/JETSTREAM/41 related to cabin fire extinguishers. This legislation applies to Jetstream Series 3100 and 3200 aircraft equipped with Fire Fighting Enterprises (UK) Limited cabin portable fire extinguishers manufactured between 1985 and 1990 week 31 inclusive. The directive mandates adherence to the Mandatory Fire Fighting Enterprises (UK) Ltd SB A26-106, referencing UK CAA AD 018-10-90 and BAe Jetstream SB 26-A-JA 901044. Compliance is required as specified in the revised Requirement Document dated 31 May 1991, with a deadline of 31 August for certain actions. This legislation underscores the necessity for corrective action to address the potential issue of the frangible plug on the syphon tube assembly breaking, leading to the escape of extinguishant into the discharge head void, a problem confirmed by the manufacturer due to build-up of adverse tolerances in the discharge head assembly.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address the airworthiness directives for the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, including the Jetstream Series 3100 and Series 3200 aircraft. The regulation in focus is AD/JETSTREAM/41, which mandates actions concerning cabin fire extinguishers on these aircraft models (1). This directive applies to aircraft equipped with Fire Fighting Enterprises (UK) Limited cabin portable fire extinguishers manufactured between 1985 and 1990, up to and including Week 31 (1).
The primary requirement set out in this regulation is that actions must be taken in accordance with the Mandatory Fire Fighting Enterprises (UK) Ltd Service Bulletin A26-106 (1). This involves addressing issues related to the discharge head assembly and the frangible plug on the syphon tube assembly, which could lead to unintended discharge of the extinguishant if the safety catch is in the secure position (1). Compliance with these directives is crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring passenger safety.
The regulation imposes several obligations on the operators and maintenance personnel of the affected aircraft. They must ensure that the actions specified in the Requirement Document, with a compliance date of 31 May 1991 for certain aspects and 31 August 1991 for others, are thoroughly implemented (1)(a) and (1)(b). This involves detailed inspections and necessary modifications to the fire extinguisher systems to prevent any potential hazards. Additionally, the compliance time required by the UK Civil Aviation Authority was extended by four months, indicating the seriousness of the issue and the need for careful adherence to the prescribed timelines and procedures.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this airworthiness directive can lead to significant consequences. Non-compliance could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could prevent it from operating until the issues are rectified. Additionally, there may be civil or criminal penalties for operators who fail to adhere to the mandated safety directives. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the regulation, they could include fines, suspension of operating certificates, or other regulatory sanctions. Ensuring compliance is not only a legal requirement but also a critical safety measure to protect all persons on board the aircraft.