AD/JETSTREAM/58 Amdt 1 - Windscreen

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the legislative framework governing airworthiness directives in Australia, encompass a specific schedule addressing the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/JETSTREAM/58 Amendment 1, pertains to the windscreens of the Jetstream Series 3100 and Series 3200 aircraft. This directive was enacted to address the issue of cracking in the PVB interlayer of the windscreens, which could potentially lead to failure during pressurisation or in the event of a bird-strike. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as the enforcing body, established this directive to ensure ongoing safety and compliance with the latest service bulletins, mandating specific inspections and actions in response to identified risks. This legislative instrument, overseen by the Commonwealth of Australia, aims to uphold stringent safety standards in civil aviation, specifically targeting the identified problem of windscreen integrity in the Jetstream Series aircraft. The policy objective is to mitigate the risk of windscreen failure through timely inspections and adherence to service bulletins, thereby enhancing the overall safety of air travel. The directive underscores the importance of addressing known safety concerns promptly and effectively within the civil aviation sector.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the applicability of airworthiness directives concerning British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, as detailed in AD/JETSTREAM/58 Amendment 1. This directive applies to all Jetstream Series 3100 and Series 3200 aircraft equipped with left and right windscreens bearing specific part numbers outlined in Pilkington Aerospace Ltd. Service Bulletin 037-56-1001. The requirement necessitates compliance with BAe Mandatory Service Bulletin 56-JA 920843 Revision 1, particularly regarding the inspection of windscreens to prevent cracking of the PVB interlayer, which could lead to catastrophic failure during pressurisation or a bird-strike. Compliance involves conducting the initial inspection within 300 hours of time in service after 31 March 1994 or if the inspection has not already been performed. This regulation extends its jurisdiction across the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with potential for further application or restriction through subordinate instruments as deemed necessary.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, include a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD) for British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, with a specific focus on AD/JETSTREAM/58 Amendment 1 (AD/JETSTREAM/58Amdt 1) concerning the windscreens of the aircraft. The directive applies to all Jetstream Series 3100 and Series 3200 aircraft that have left and right windscreens with specific part numbers as outlined in Pilkington Aerospace Ltd. Service Bulletin 037-56-1001 (Section 1). The primary requirement is to perform actions in accordance with BAe Mandatory Service Bulletin 56-JA 920843 Revision 1. The compliance clause mandates that the initial inspection must be conducted within 300 hours of time in service after 31 March 1994, unless it has already been carried out (Section 2). The obligations imposed by the Civil Aviation Regulations on the operators and maintainers of Jetstream Series 3100 and 3200 aircraft include ensuring that the inspections and any necessary corrective actions are performed as specified in the BAe Mandatory Service Bulletin. This involves thorough checks of the windscreens to identify any cracking of the PVB interlayer, which has been reported in the past. The operators must adhere to the stipulated timeframes and the requirements set out in the Service Bulletin to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft. This includes scheduling inspections and, if required, replacing the windscreens to prevent potential failure due to excessive cracking or external impacts such as bird strikes. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/JETSTREAM/58Amdt 1 can result in serious safety implications, as the directive is aimed at preventing potential catastrophic failures of the windscreens. While the Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance in this context, non-compliance can lead to significant legal and safety consequences. If an aircraft is found to be non-compliant, it may be grounded, and the operator could face enforcement actions from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). In severe cases, this could include fines, legal proceedings, and potential suspension or revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate, which could in turn lead to criminal charges if the non-compliance results in an accident or serious safety incident.