AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes
AD/JETSTREAM/98 Fuselage and Wing Structure Fatigue
Damage - 2
10/2004
Applicability: All Model Jetstream Series 3100 aircraft.
Requirement: Inspect in accordance with BAE Systems Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) 51- JA030544 Revision 1 or later EASA approved edition.
The original issue of the Requirement document contained a typographical error. If a detailed visual inspection was performed with the windows removed then full credit can be taken for the accomplishment of the initial inspection. If a detailed visual inspection was performed with the windows installed, the clarified NDI task stated in Revision 1 of the Requirement document, Appendix 1, Paragraph M, Part 14, must be performed before 1 July 2005. Thereafter, all subsequent window pan inspections are to be accomplished on or before the repeat interval stated in the Requirement document.
Note: UK CAA AD G-2004-0018 refers.
Compliance: At the initial and repeat inspection times specified in the Requirement document; from the effective date of this Directive.
New requirements introduced by SB 51-JA030544 Revision 1, are stated in Paragraph M – Approval, Appendix 2, Part 1. For the tasks defined in SB 51- JA030544 Revision 1, Appendix 1, Paragraph M, Parts 14 and 15, where the initial inspection interval is stated as 25,800 landings or 10 years, the requirement: whichever occurs first, is to apply. Where the repeat inspection interval is stated as: 4,400 landings or 2 years, the requirement: whichever occurs first, is to apply.
Where the inspection interval is stated as: 4,400 landings or D check, this is to be read as: 4,400 landings or 2 years, whichever occurs first.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 September 2004.
Background: An extensive review of the results of the wing fatigue test and aircraft life extension investigation has been completed for Jetstream 3100 aircraft. This Directive introduces new and revised inspections of the fuselage and wing structure for fatigue damage.
British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series Aeroplanes
AD/JETSTREAM/98 (continued)
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a new CAA AD, which introduces a revision of the Requirement document with revised inspection techniques deemed necessary to adequately accomplish certain inspection tasks, and to specify grace periods applicable for aircraft that have exceeded the initial inspection thresholds.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 5 August 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 September 2004.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive AD/JETSTREAM/98, issued in 2004 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, was introduced to address the issue of fuselage and wing structure fatigue damage in British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series aeroplanes. This directive was developed in response to an extensive review of the results of wing fatigue tests and aircraft life extension investigations for Jetstream 3100 aircraft, aiming to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating specific inspection procedures. The directive requires inspections to be performed in accordance with BAE Systems Mandatory Service Bulletin 51-JA030544 Revision 1 or later EASA approved edition, and specifies compliance timelines from the effective date of the directive, which is 30 September 2004. This legislative instrument was issued to ensure that the specified inspections are carried out to mitigate any unsafe conditions related to fatigue damage in the fuselage and wing structure of the Jetstream 3100 aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/JETSTREAM/98 applies specifically to all aircraft in the British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series 3100. This legislative instrument is issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and mandates necessary actions to address an unsafe condition concerning fuselage and wing structure fatigue damage. The directive requires inspections to be conducted in accordance with the instructions set out in BAE Systems Mandatory Service Bulletin 51-JA030544 Revision 1 or later EASA approved edition, with specific compliance times for initial and subsequent inspections as outlined. This Airworthiness Directive is effective from 30 September 2004 and is applicable nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, aiming to ensure that all relevant aircraft meet safety standards for continued airworthiness.
Key Provisions
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998 applies to all British Aerospace BAe 3100 (Jetstream) Series 3100 aircraft. The AD mandates that inspections be carried out in accordance with BAE Systems Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) 51-JA030544 Revision 1 or a later EASA approved edition. This inspection is critical to address fatigue damage in the fuselage and wing structure, which was identified as a potential safety issue. The inspections must be conducted at specified intervals, which are detailed in the requirement section of the AD, and at particular times as outlined in the compliance section. It is essential that these inspections are carried out in line with the instructions provided to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.
The obligations imposed by this AD require aircraft operators and owners to ensure that the specified inspections are performed by qualified personnel and in accordance with the detailed instructions provided in the SB 51-JA030544 Revision 1. Operators must also ensure that the aircraft are not operated until the required inspections have been completed. This involves adhering to the inspection intervals, which may be based on the number of landings or a fixed time period, whichever comes first. The AD specifies grace periods for aircraft that have already exceeded the initial inspection thresholds, allowing for a phased implementation of the new inspection requirements. Operators must maintain records of all inspections performed and ensure these records are accessible for audit purposes.
Failure to comply with the AD can result in significant consequences. Non-compliance with the AD is considered a breach of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, and may result in civil penalties. The maximum penalty for contravening an AD can be up to $20,000 for an individual and $100,000 for a body corporate, as outlined in section 22 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Additionally, non-compliance can lead to the grounding of the aircraft, which can result in significant operational disruptions and financial losses. In the most severe cases, failure to comply with ADs can lead to criminal charges, particularly if the non-compliance is found to have contributed to an accident or incident. The AD is designed to ensure the ongoing safety of the aircraft, and adherence to its requirements is mandatory to maintain airworthiness certification.