AD/JETSTREAM/61 Amdt 2 - Wing/Fuselage Attachment

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) is a comprehensive body of law governing aviation safety in Australia, enacted by the Australian Parliament. Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations addresses the issuance of Airworthiness Directives by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), with the overarching aim of maintaining the highest safety standards in the Australian civil aviation industry. This particular legislative instrument, F2006B10932, pertains to British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, specifically addressing issues related to wing/fuselage attachments. The problem this Airworthiness Directive was introduced to address involves cracks and corrosion in the spigot housing plate at the wing/fuselage forward-attachment sliding joint on Jetstream 3100 aircraft. This issue necessitated the implementation of mandatory inspections and maintenance actions as specified in Amendment 2, which was issued to align with updated British Aerospace Mandatory Service Bulletin 57-JA 930941 Revision 2, effective from 2 February 1995. The policy objective underpinning this Airworthiness Directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of Jetstream 3100 aircraft by requiring operators to adhere to specific maintenance and inspection protocols. This includes the use of an optional ultrasonic test and the extension of compliance timelines, thereby mitigating the risk of structural failure due to the identified issues. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as the enacting body, leverages these regulations to uphold the safety and integrity of Australia's civil aviation operations, reflecting a commitment to both national and international aviation safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandate airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of civil aviation. One such directive, AD/JETSTREAM/61 Amendment 2, applies to the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, including models HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Series 3100. This directive addresses issues identified with the spigot housing plate at the wing/fuselage forward-attachment sliding-joint, such as cracks and corrosion, to mitigate these safety risks. Compliance with this directive requires adherence to the British Aerospace Mandatory Service Bulletin 57-JA 930941 Revision 2, with an effective date of 2 February 1995. The directive specifies actions to be taken, including the option of an ultrasonic test, and extends the compliance timeframe to ensure thorough inspections are conducted. This legislative instrument is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniform safety standards for the specified aircraft models.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes a detailed directive for the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) series aeroplanes, with AD/JETSTREAM/61 Amendment 2 (2/95) being particularly relevant. This amendment applies to the model HP137 Mk1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Series 3100 aircraft. The directive mandates compliance with British Aerospace Mandatory Service Bulletin 57-JA 930941 Revision 2, requiring operators to take specific actions to address issues identified with the spigot housing plate at the wing/fuselage forward-attachment sliding-joint. These issues include reported cracks and corrosion on the spigot housing plate. The compliance instructions set forth in this directive specify an effective date of 2 February 1995, ensuring that operators adhere to the outlined requirements to maintain airworthiness. Operators of Jetstream aircraft must follow the detailed requirements set out in the British Aerospace Mandatory Service Bulletin to ensure the structural integrity of the aircraft. This involves conducting inspections and taking corrective actions as specified. The directive is clear in its stipulations, particularly regarding the inspection of the spigot housing plate and the implementation of any necessary repairs. Operators are required to perform these inspections and corrective actions in accordance with the outlined requirements, which include detailed steps for inspection and any additional actions required to address identified issues. Failure to comply with the provisions set forth in the AD/JETSTREAM/61 Amendment 2 directive can result in significant legal and safety consequences. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives is a serious matter under aviation law. Operators who fail to adhere to these requirements risk facing civil or criminal penalties. The specific penalties can include fines and other sanctions, as determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Additionally, failure to comply can lead to the grounding of aircraft, which has severe operational and financial implications for the operator. In summary, the AD/JETSTREAM/61 Amendment 2 directive under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 mandates specific actions to address cracks and corrosion on the spigot housing plate of Jetstream aircraft. Operators must follow the detailed instructions provided in the British Aerospace Mandatory Service Bulletin and ensure compliance by the specified effective date. Failure to comply can result in civil or criminal penalties, including fines and the potential grounding of affected aircraft. It is crucial for operators to adhere to these requirements to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of their aircraft.