AD/JETSTREAM/80 - Elevator Bias Spring Assembly Bearing

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to ensure the safe operation of aircraft in Australian airspace, and the legislation is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The specific legislative instrument F2006B10951, AD/JETSTREAM/80, targets the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, addressing an identified issue with the elevator bias spring assembly bearing. This Airworthiness Directive was introduced to address the problem of bearing detachment in the elevator control system, which was reported by an operator and attributed to a twist force due to the incorrect orientation of the spring hook ends. The policy objective is to ensure the safe operation of these aircraft by mandating compliance with the specified service bulletin to rectify the issue before a set deadline, in this case, 31 January 1999. The Airworthiness Directive became effective on 3 December 1998, requiring all Jetstream Series 3100 and 3200 aircraft to follow the mandatory service bulletin issued by the manufacturer. For aircraft already incorporating the original service bulletin (SB 27-A-JA980606), no further action is required. This directive aims to mitigate the risk of bearing failure, thereby enhancing the overall safety and reliability of the aircraft in service.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, apply to all Jetstream Series 3100 and Series 3200 aircraft within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia. This regulation mandates compliance with a specific Airworthiness Directive concerning the elevator bias spring assembly bearing for these aircraft models. The directive requires operators to take corrective action in accordance with the British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) 27-A-JA980606 Revision 1, unless the original issue of the bulletin has already been incorporated, in which case no further action is necessary. Operators must ensure that the required action is completed before 31 January 1999, with the directive becoming effective from 3 December 1998. This regulation aims to address a reported detachment issue in the elevator control system, which has been linked to a specific failure mode in the bearing assembly caused by incorrect orientation of the spring hook ends.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates that all Jetstream Series 3100 and Series 3200 aircraft must adhere to the requirements outlined in Airworthiness Directive AD/JETSTREAM/80 concerning the elevator bias spring assembly bearing. Section 13/98 of the regulation specifies that these aircraft must take action in accordance with British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) 27-A-JA980606 Revision 1. However, for aircraft that have already implemented the original SB 27-A-JA980606, no additional action is required. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved by 31 January 1999, unless it has already been accomplished. This directive became effective on 3 December 1998, following a report from an aircraft operator indicating a detachment in the link connecting the bias spring to the elevator quadrant in the elevator control system. The manufacturer identified that the bearing in question can only accommodate a limited amount of misalignment, and the failure was attributed to a twist force applied by the spring due to the incorrect orientation of the spring hook ends. Entities governed by this directive must ensure that their Jetstream Series 3100 and Series 3200 aircraft are assessed and, if necessary, modified to comply with the specified service bulletin. This involves reviewing the installation of the elevator bias spring assembly bearing and ensuring that the bearing and associated components are correctly installed and oriented to prevent the issues identified in the report. Operators must verify that any modifications or inspections are completed by the stipulated deadline to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft. Compliance with this directive is critical as it directly impacts the safety of the aircraft and its occupants, and failure to adhere to these requirements can result in severe safety risks. In the event of non-compliance with the provisions outlined in the Airworthiness Directive AD/JETSTREAM/80, there can be significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose penalties for failure to comply with airworthiness directives, which may include substantial fines or other civil penalties as prescribed by the relevant aviation authorities. Furthermore, continued operation of an aircraft that does not meet the specified airworthiness standards can lead to criminal charges against the operator, including potential imprisonment. The exact penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the directive but are governed by broader provisions within the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations, which may include fines of up to $1,215,000 for corporations and lesser amounts for individuals, along with potential imprisonment terms. Ensuring strict adherence to the specified service bulletin and timelines is therefore crucial to avoid these severe repercussions.