Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, establish a schedule of airworthiness directives designed to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft operating within Australia. Enacted by the Australian Government, this legislation addresses the specific issue of structural integrity in the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the prevention of multi-site cracking in the wing main spar webs. The policy objective behind this regulation is to mandate actions that enhance the aircraft's structural resilience, aligning with the requirements set out by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Compliance with the directive is crucial for all series 3200 aircraft up to and including constructor number 922.10/91, necessitating adherence to BAe Service Bulletin 57-JM 8160 dated 19 June 1991, prior to exceeding 6000 flights or by 31 December 1991, whichever is later. The Australian Civil Aviation Authority recommends early compliance to mitigate risks associated with structural failures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, outlines the Airworthiness Directives for the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, detailing requirements for certain aircraft to enhance their structural integrity. This directive applies to all Jetstream Series 3200 aircraft up to and including constructor number 922.10/91. The regulation mandates compliance with BAe Service Bulletin 57-JM 8160, dated 19 June 1991, which has been classified as mandatory by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The directive requires action to be taken in accordance with the service bulletin, specifically addressing the cold worked holes in the wing main spar access panel, to mitigate the risk of multi-site cracking identified in the wing main spar webs of the Jetstream Series 3200. Compliance is required prior to the aircraft exceeding 6,000 flights or before 31 December 1991, whichever is later. The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority recommends that compliance be achieved as early as possible. This directive applies across the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, introduces a series of requirements and obligations for the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the maintenance and safety of these aircraft. The legislation mandates that all series 3200 aircraft, up to and including constructor number 922.10/91, must adhere to the provisions outlined in AD/JETSTREAM/48 concerning the wing main spar access panel and cold worked holes. This directive is in response to findings of multi-site cracking in the wing main spar webs, a critical structural component, as identified in a wing fatigue test specimen. The action required is compliance with BAe Service Bulletin 57-JM 8160, dated 19 June 1991, which has been classified as mandatory by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This bulletin prescribes specific measures to address the identified structural issues, aiming to enhance the aircraft's resistance to cracking through the cold expansion of critical holes. The obligations imposed by this regulation are clear and directive. Aircraft operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the prescribed actions are taken in accordance with the BAe Service Bulletin. This includes inspecting the wing main spar access panel, identifying the cold worked holes, and performing the cold expansion process as detailed in the bulletin. Compliance with these directives is not optional; it is a mandatory requirement for all affected aircraft. The Australian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) recommends that operators achieve compliance before the aircraft exceeds 6000 flights or before 31 December 1991, whichever date is later. This recommendation underscores the urgency and importance of addressing the structural integrity issues identified in the series 3200 aircraft. Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in AD/JETSTREAM/48 can lead to significant consequences. While the specific civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the legislative instrument, it is clear that such non-compliance could result in safety risks, potential grounding of the aircraft, and legal ramifications. The seriousness of these potential outcomes is reflected in the mandatory nature of the directive, highlighting the importance of adhering to the specified maintenance requirements. The Australian CAA's recommendation for early compliance further emphasises the critical nature of these safety measures and the potential consequences of failing to implement them.