AD/JETSTREAM/70 - Passenger/Crew Door - Internal Door Mounting Platform

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 as part of the Commonwealth of Australia's legislative framework to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation. The Regulations encompass a broad range of areas including the airworthiness of aircraft, licensing of personnel, and operational standards. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations addresses Airworthiness Directives (ADs) which are legally enforceable rules relating to the design, production, maintenance, and operation of aircraft. These ADs are essential in mitigating safety risks by mandating specific maintenance actions and operational procedures. The problem this legislation addresses is the identification and rectification of safety hazards, as exemplified by AD/JETSTREAM/70, which concerns the internal mounting platform of the passenger/crew door in British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, where cracks have been found that could compromise the door's operation. The policy objective is to ensure that aircraft remain airworthy through regular inspections and necessary repairs, thereby protecting the safety of passengers and crew.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically addresses the safety of British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes with AD/JETSTREAM/70. This directive mandates a thorough visual inspection of the passenger/crew door mounting platform for all HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, Jetstream series 3100, and Jetstream series 3200 aircraft. The directive requires compliance with Part 1 of British Aerospace SB 52-A-JA 930901 Revision 1, and references the UK Civil Aviation Authority's AD 009-12-93. The directive is triggered by the discovery of cracks on the internal handle mounting platform structure of these aircraft, which, if left unaddressed, could compromise the operation of the passenger/crew door mechanism. An initial inspection is required before reaching 1800 flying hours, or within 600 flying hours from 13 October 1994 for aircraft that had exceeded 1200 flying hours as of that date, or before 13 January 1995, whichever occurs first. Subsequent inspections must be carried out at intervals not exceeding 1800 flying hours until the mounting platform is modified according to Part 2 of British Aerospace SB 52-A-JA 930901 Revision 1.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning Airworthiness Directives, mandate that all HP137 Mk1, Jetstream series 200, Jetstream series 3100 and Jetstream series 3200 aircraft undergo specific inspections of their passenger/crew door mounting platforms (s1). The requirement is to perform a close visual inspection in accordance with Part 1 of British Aerospace SB 52-A-JA 930901 Revision 1. The directive notes that the UK Civil Aviation Authority's AD 009-12-93 also pertains to this issue. For compliance, an initial inspection must be conducted before 1800 flying hours or, for aircraft that have already accumulated 1200 flying hours as of 13 October 1994, within 600 flying hours from that date or before 13 January 1995, whichever comes first (s2). Follow-up inspections are to occur at intervals not exceeding 1800 flying hours until the aircraft are modified in accordance with Part 2 of British Aerospace SB 52-A-JA 930901 Revision 1 (s3). The Act imposes specific obligations on the operators and owners of the specified aircraft to ensure compliance with the outlined inspection and modification requirements. Operators must ensure that the initial and subsequent inspections are carried out in accordance with the prescribed schedule and methodology, and that any identified issues are addressed by following the detailed instructions provided in the referenced British Aerospace Service Bulletin (s4). Owners and operators are also required to maintain accurate records of all inspections and any modifications made to the door mounting platform to demonstrate compliance with the Airworthiness Directive (s5). Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive may result in serious safety implications and potential penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Specifically, if an aircraft is operated without the required inspections and any necessary modifications, it may be deemed non-airworthy. This non-compliance could result in enforcement actions, including the issuance of a Notice of Proposed Civil Penalty, which can lead to substantial fines (s6). The maximum penalty for contravening an airworthiness directive can reach up to $275,000 for individuals and $1.375 million for corporations, reflecting the serious nature of such non-compliance (s7). Furthermore, continued operation of a non-compliant aircraft could result in additional criminal charges and potential imprisonment for those responsible.