Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Australian Government, establish comprehensive safety standards for civil aviation operations within the country. Part 39, specifically, addresses airworthiness directives that are essential for maintaining the safety and reliability of aircraft. One such directive, AD/JETSTREAM/66, pertains to the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes and mandates modifications to the fuel fitting attachment holes on the main spar of the wing for Jetstream 3200 series aircraft. This directive was introduced to address the problem of cracking found in the wing main spar webs at these locations, aiming to enhance the structural integrity and safety of these aircraft. The requirement to modify the fuel tank drainage hole at wing station 64.8 on both the left and right sides must be completed in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin 57-JM 8175 revision 1, ensuring compliance either before the aircraft reaches 6000 landings or by 15 March 1995, whichever comes later. This policy objective is to prevent potential safety hazards that could arise from structural weaknesses in the wings of the affected aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertain to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, targeting British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes. This regulation applies to Jetstream 3200 Series aircraft with constructor’s numbers up to and including 950.10/94. The requirement outlined in AD/JETSTREAM/66 mandates that the fuel tank drainage holes at wing station 64.8 on both the left and right-hand sides be modified in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin 57-JM 8175 revision 1. The directive aims to address the issue of cracking found in the wing main spar webs at this specific location during testing. Compliance with this airworthiness directive must be achieved before the aircraft reaches 6000 landings or before 15 March 1995, whichever occurs later. This regulation is applicable nationally, reflecting the Commonwealth's jurisdiction over civil aviation safety across Australia. The directive does not explicitly state exclusions or exemptions, implying that it applies universally to the specified aircraft within the outlined parameters.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39-105, mandates that modifications be made to the fuel tank drainage holes at wing station 64.8 on the left and right sides of Jetstream 3200 Series aircraft up to and including constructor's number 950.10/94 (Section 39-105). This directive, AD/JETSTREAM/66, requires that these modifications comply with British Aerospace Service Bulletin SB 57-JM 8175 revision 1. The modification must be completed either before the aircraft reaches 6000 landings or before 15 March 1995, whichever comes later (Section 39-105(2)). The obligations imposed by this legislation require operators of the affected Jetstream 3200 Series aircraft to ensure that the specified modifications are carried out in accordance with the British Aerospace SB 57-JM 8175 revision 1. This involves the inspection and, if necessary, the repair or replacement of the fuel tank drainage holes to prevent the cracking of the wing main spar webs, which has been observed in test specimens (Section 39-105(3)). Operators must maintain records of compliance and ensure that the modifications are completed by the stipulated deadlines. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/JETSTREAM/66 may result in civil or criminal penalties. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce these regulations, and non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the legislative text, but CASA's enforcement actions can be severe and may involve substantial financial penalties, as well as operational restrictions on the aircraft (Section 39-105(4)).