AD/JETSTREAM/54 Amdt 2 - Ignition - Auto-Relight Magnetic Latching Relays

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, were established to ensure the safety of civil aviation within the country. The regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and address various aspects of aviation safety, including airworthiness, pilot qualifications, and maintenance standards. One of the legislative instruments under these regulations, F2006B10924, pertains to specific airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models, in this case, the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns related to the auto-ignition system of these aircraft, particularly when transitioning between ground power and internal power during start procedures. The directive mandates specific modifications to the magnetic latching relays and wiring to prevent the auto-ignition facility from being disabled, thereby ensuring the continued safety and reliability of the aircraft in operation. The policy objective of this legislative instrument is to enhance the operational safety of Jetstream Series Aeroplanes by implementing corrective measures as recommended in the relevant service bulletins. This amendment, which introduces wiring revisions to accommodate aircraft equipped with water methanol or water methanol/power augmentation systems, is a response to reported incidents where the auto-ignition system was inadvertently disabled during ground start procedures. By mandating these changes, CASA aims to mitigate potential risks and maintain high safety standards in civil aviation, ensuring that all aircraft meet the necessary airworthiness criteria.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, applies to aircraft within the Series 3100 and 3200 with constructors' numbers ranging from 693 to 870 inclusive, and which include an engine automatic ignition system as per British Aerospace customer requirement kit JK 2496 or modification JM 7537. This Act mandates corrective action to address issues with the auto-ignition facility being disabled during specific operational transitions. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, as it pertains to all civil aviation operations within Australia, ensuring safety standards are met across the Commonwealth. Compliance with the mandated actions, including the replacement of electrically latching relays with magnetically latching relays and necessary wiring changes, must be completed prior to the specified dates, with amendments reflecting updates to the requirement document. Exclusions or exemptions are not detailed within the text, and any additional specifications or restrictions would be detailed in subordinate instruments or further amendments.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, establishes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes specific requirements for certain aircraft types. Section AD/JETSTREAM/54Amdt 2 pertains to British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, focusing on ignition systems. This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to Series 3100 and 3200 aircraft with constructors' numbers ranging from 693 to 870 inclusive, which have an engine automatic ignition system installed as per British Aerospace customer requirement kit JK 2496 or modification JM 7537. This directive mandates that the aircraft must comply with Jetstream Aircraft Limited Service Bulletin 74-JM 7693A Revision 3 dated 28 January 1993. This service bulletin has been classified as mandatory by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Operators are required to take action in accordance with this bulletin to ensure compliance. Specifically, the original compliance date for this directive was 28 February 1993, and any amendments must be completed by 30 June 1993. The directive addresses reported issues where the auto-ignition facility became disabled during transitions from ground power to internal power in ground start procedures. To rectify this, the directive requires the replacement of existing electrically latching relays with magnetically latching relays and the implementation of corresponding wiring changes. The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and specific. Operators must ensure that the aircraft in question undergo the prescribed modifications and adhere to the timelines provided. This includes accessing and implementing the updates as outlined in the service bulletin, which has been mandated by the relevant aviation authority. Failure to comply with these directives could result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, potentially leading to operational restrictions or grounding. Failure to comply with the AD can have significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline various penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. These can include fines, operational restrictions, and in severe cases, the grounding of the affected aircraft. The exact penalties can vary, but they are intended to enforce strict adherence to safety standards to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft in question.