EASA AD G-2021-0013
Fuel System — Tank Bonding Leads — Tank Bonding Improvement - Fuel Pipe Clearance — Inspection / Adjustment
Summary
Civil Aviation Authority Airworthiness Directive G-2021-0013 addresses fuel system safety issues on BAE Systems Jetstream 4100 series aircraft. It mandates inspection and improvement of tank bonding leads and fuel pipe clearances to prevent potential ignition sources within the fuel tank areas. This directive updates previous requirements to ensure compliance with UK and EU aviation safety regulations.
What Changed
This Airworthiness Directive introduces additional bonding requirements specifically for the Crossfeed Valve that were omitted in earlier service bulletins. It retains the technical requirements of EASA AD 2008-0040 and adds new inspection and bonding installation steps as detailed in BAE Systems Service Bulletin J41-28-013 Revision 2. The directive expands the scope of bonding improvements to include the dry bay area at Rib 1 on the aircraft centerline and below the fuselage.
Why It Matters
The directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a potential ignition risk in the fuel system that could lead to catastrophic fuel tank explosions. Ensuring proper bonding and clearance reduces the risk of electrical faults and lightning strike hazards. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must implement these measures to maintain airworthiness and regulatory compliance under SFAR 88 and related UK regulations.
What To Do
Operators must inspect bonding leads between specified wing ribs and replace any defective leads, examine all fuel system pipe runs for correct clearance, and install additional electrical bonding as specified in the latest service bulletin. These actions must be completed within 24 months from the effective date of 2021-11-04. Compliance with both the retained EASA AD 2008-0040 requirements and the new bonding instructions in Revision 2 of the service bulletin is mandatory.
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