COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes
AD/JETSTREAM/78 Main Landing Gear Bay Auxiliary Spar 8/98
Applicability: All Jetstream Series 3200 aircraft.
Requirement: Inspect in accordance with British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 57-A-JA 980441.
Note: UK CAA AD 001-04-98 refers.
Compliance: Unless the initial inspection is already accomplished; inspect in accordance with Part 1 of the Requirement document before 23 July 1998. Inspect in accordance with Part 2 of the Requirement document before 31 August 1998.
This airworthiness directive becomes effective on 16 July 1998.
Background: A main landing gear bay auxiliary spar lower boom has been found cracked in service. Cracking of the boom can cause a major reduction in airframe structural integrity.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (the Regulations), administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to establish safety standards for civil aviation in Australia, including the maintenance and operation of aircraft. The Regulations are a legislative instrument created under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The specific airworthiness directive, AD/JETSTREAM/78, pertains to the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes and was introduced to address the issue of cracked main landing gear bay auxiliary spars, which pose a significant risk to the structural integrity of the aircraft. The directive aims to ensure the safe operation of Jetstream Series 3200 aircraft by mandating specific inspection requirements to detect and rectify such structural issues before they compromise the safety of the aircraft.
This airworthiness directive was issued to ensure that all Jetstream Series 3200 aircraft are inspected according to the British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 57-A-JA 980441, with specific deadlines set for the initial and subsequent inspections. The directive became effective on 16 July 1998, requiring compliance by all relevant aircraft operators. The policy objective is to maintain the highest standards of safety in Australian civil aviation by addressing known structural deficiencies in specific aircraft models.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the applicability and compliance of the Airworthiness Directive AD/JETSTREAM/78 concerning the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series aeroplanes. This directive applies exclusively to all Jetstream Series 3200 aircraft, mandating that they undergo specific inspections of the main landing gear bay auxiliary spar. The directive outlines the necessity for these inspections to be carried out in accordance with the British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 57-A-JA 980441, with references to UK Civil Aviation Authority AD 001-04-98. The inspections are required to be performed by 23 July 1998 for the initial phase and by 31 August 1998 for the subsequent phase. This directive became effective from 16 July 1998, following reports of cracks in the main landing gear bay auxiliary spar lower boom, which, if left unaddressed, could significantly compromise the structural integrity of the airframe.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, detailing the necessary maintenance and safety measures for specific aircraft. In this context, AD/JETSTREAM/78 pertains to the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series aeroplanes, focusing on the main landing gear bay auxiliary spar. This directive applies to all Jetstream Series 3200 aircraft (Section 39-105). The requirement set forth in this directive is that all affected aircraft must undergo inspections according to British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin 57-A-JA 980441 (Section 39-105(1)). Additionally, it references UK Civil Aviation Authority AD 001-04-98, indicating that the directive aligns with international safety standards.
The obligations imposed by this airworthiness directive include conducting the required inspections before specified deadlines: the initial inspection must be completed by 23 July 1998, and a subsequent inspection must be performed by 31 August 1998 (Section 39-105(2)). Compliance with these inspection schedules is mandatory for all Jetstream Series 3200 aircraft, ensuring the aircraft's continued airworthiness and structural integrity. Failure to adhere to the specified inspection timelines and procedures could result in the aircraft being deemed unsafe to fly, thereby violating safety regulations.
Violations of the requirements set out in this airworthiness directive could lead to significant consequences, both civil and criminal. Specifically, operators who fail to comply with the inspection deadlines and requirements may face penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The maximum penalties for such violations can include fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the court. It is imperative that operators of Jetstream Series 3200 aircraft strictly adhere to the inspection requirements to avoid these adverse outcomes.