Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, include an Airworthiness Directive aimed at addressing safety concerns in the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes. The Act was introduced to mitigate risks associated with the structural integrity of these aircraft, particularly concerning the spigot installation that attaches the wing to the fuselage. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, operating under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia, issued this directive to ensure that all Jetstream 3100 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 601 to 666 comply with the specified safety measures. The policy objective is to enhance the safety of air travel by ensuring that critical structural components of the aircraft are maintained and function as intended, thereby reducing the likelihood of in-flight failures. The directive requires compliance within a specific timeframe: either within 50 hours of time in service after 25 September 1985 or within seven days from that date, whichever comes first. This directive responds to a reported incident where a spigot component had become disengaged from its housing, highlighting a potential safety hazard. By mandating adherence to British Aerospace Alert SB 57-A-JA 85-941.11/85 T, the legislation aims to prevent similar occurrences and ensure the continued airworthiness 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, which include the AD/JETSTREAM/9 directive concerning British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to all Jetstream 3100 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 601 to 666. The requirement outlined in this directive mandates that operators comply with British Aerospace Alert SB 57-A-JA 85-941.11/85 T, which involves the installation of a spigot to ensure the attachment of the wing front spar to the fuselage remains secure. Compliance must be achieved within 50 hours of time in service after 25 September 1985, or within 7 days following the same date, whichever comes first. The directive’s intent is to address a reported disengagement issue of the Spigot P/No 13781 B7, which attaches the wing front spar to fuselage STN 199, thereby enhancing flight safety. The regulations apply within the Commonwealth of Australia, and any subordinate instruments may further specify implementation details or additional requirements.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, contain a series of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) designed to ensure the continued safety of aircraft. Section AD/JETSTREAM/9, specifically concerning British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes, mandates corrective actions for a particular issue identified with the wing attachment to the fuselage spigot installation (s.105.03). This directive applies to all Jetstream 3100 aircraft with serial numbers (S/No) ranging from 601 to 666. The requirement outlined in this directive is to take corrective action in accordance with British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin SB 57-A-JA 85-941.11/85 T, which was issued to address the disengagement of a Spigot Part Number (P/No) 13781 B7 that attaches the wing front spar to the fuselage station (STN) 199. The directive imposes specific obligations on the operators of the affected aircraft. These operators must ensure that the necessary corrective actions are carried out within a specified timeframe. The compliance requirement is set for action to be taken within 50 hours of time in service after 25 September 1985, or within 7 days from 25 September 1985, whichever comes first. This timeframe is critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and preventing potential safety issues. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive may lead to significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can be considered a breach of the regulations. This could result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which may include fines, enforcement notices, or even the grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are completed. The potential penalties for non-compliance are not explicitly detailed in the specific directive but generally align with the broader regulatory framework governing aviation safety in Australia.