Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, establishes a schedule of airworthiness directives that ensures the safety of civil aircraft operations in Australia. One such directive, AD/JETSTREAM/59, was introduced to address issues concerning the main wing lower skin and lower front spar structure of British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series aeroplanes. This legislation was enacted by the Australian Government to mandate corrective actions as specified in British Aerospace Jetstream Mandatory Service Bulletin 57-JA 921203, aiming to mitigate the risk of exfoliation corrosion damage in the affected areas of the aircraft. The directive mandates compliance by all Jetstream Series 3100 aircraft, with a specified completion date of 19 February 1994 for the actions outlined in Parts 1 and 2 of the Requirement Document. The policy objective is to enhance the safety standards of civil aviation through rigorous adherence to airworthiness directives.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/JETSTREAM/59 under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically targeting the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to all Jetstream Series 3100 aircraft and mandates compliance with British Aerospace Jetstream Mandatory Service Bulletin 57-JA 921203, with the requirement for completion by 19 February 1994. The directive aims to address reports of exfoliation corrosion damage in the lower main skin at bolts attaching the skin to the front spar structure between Stations 36 and 40, both left and right sides. This AD is part of the broader regulatory framework overseen by CASA, which is responsible for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of all aircraft operating within Australia’s airspace. The directive's application is not limited by geographic or jurisdictional boundaries, applying uniformly across all Jetstream Series 3100 aircraft within the Commonwealth. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with no stated exclusions or exemptions, and CASA may extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments as needed.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series aeroplanes (section 105). The directive AD/JETSTREAM/59 pertains to the main wing lower skin and lower front spar structure, applying to all Jetstream Series 3100 aircraft. The directive mandates compliance with British Aerospace Jetstream Mandatory Service Bulletin 57-JA 921203 and references the UK Civil Aviation Authority AD 014-05-93 (section 1). The directive was issued in response to reports of exfoliation corrosion damage observed at the lower main skin at bolts attaching the skin to the front spar structure between Stations 36 and 40 on both the left and right sides of the aircraft (section 3). The directive requires the specified action to be undertaken in accordance with the British Aerospace Jetstream Mandatory Service Bulletin 57-JA 921203, ensuring that the damage identified is addressed effectively. This involves detailed inspection and repair procedures as outlined in the Requirement Document. The compliance deadline for Accomplishment Instructions Parts 1 and 2 of the Requirement Document is set as 19 February 1994 (section 4). Operators of Jetstream Series 3100 aircraft are obligated to ensure that the actions specified in the Requirement Document are completed within the stipulated timeframe. Failure to comply with this directive may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to serious safety concerns. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose obligations on the operators of Jetstream Series 3100 aircraft to adhere to the Airworthiness Directive AD/JETSTREAM/59. Operators must ensure that the actions outlined in the British Aerospace Jetstream Mandatory Service Bulletin 57-JA 921203 are meticulously followed. This includes conducting thorough inspections of the lower main skin and lower front spar structure, identifying any signs of exfoliation corrosion, and implementing the necessary repairs as specified in the Requirement Document. Non-compliance with these obligations could result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which may include grounding the aircraft until the required actions are completed. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the Airworthiness Directive AD/JETSTREAM/59 can result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide for both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. Civil penalties may include fines and other regulatory actions, while criminal penalties could involve imprisonment or substantial fines, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance. The exact penalties are determined by the relevant authorities and can vary based on the specific circumstances of the breach. Operators are therefore strongly advised to ensure full compliance with the directive to avoid these potential consequences.