Civil Aviation Authority
SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVE
Number: SD–2019/001
Issued: 12 March 2019
Boeing 737-8 “MAX” and Boeing 737-9 “MAX” Limitation of Operations due to a Fatal Accident in Ethiopia on 10 March 2019
This Safety Directive contains mandatory action that is required to restore an acceptable level of safety. It is issued in accordance with Article 248 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 and Article 70 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139.
Recipients must ensure that this Directive is copied to all members of their staff who need to take appropriate action or who may have an interest in the information (including any ‘in-house’ or contracted maintenance organisation and relevant outside contractors).
Applicability:
Aerodromes:
Not primarily affected
Air Traffic:
Not primarily affected
Airspace:
Not primarily affected
Airworthiness:
All Continued Airworthiness Management and Maintenance Organisation
Flight Operations:
All AOC Holders conducting operations in the United Kingdom
Licensed Personnel:
Not primarily affected
1 Introduction
1.1 This Safety and Operational Directive contains mandatory action that is required to establish an acceptable level of safety. It is issued under articles 17(1) and 248 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 and subject to, and in accordance with, Article 70 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139. Recipients must ensure that this Directive is copied to all members of their staff who need to take appropriate action or who may have an interest in the information, including any “in-house” or contracted maintenance organisation and relevant outside contractors.
1.2 This SD is made in the interests of safety of operation and to protect the public following the accident of an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing Model 737-8 “MAX” aircraft on 10 March 2019. External reports are drawing similarities between this accident and Lion Air flight 610 on 29 October 2018 involving the same type of aircraft. At this stage the cause of the accident is not known as investigation into its cause has just begun.
1.3 Given the similarity of the two accidents, it has been decided that as a precautionary measure that all Boeing 737-8 “MAX” and Boeing 737-9 “MAX” operations in the United Kingdom, whether by UK AOC holders or foreign AOC holders and carriers, should stop until appropriate safeguards are in place. This is needed to assure the CAA that the aircraft involved are fully compliant with internationally recognised standards.
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Civil Aviation Authority Safety Directive SD-2019/001
2 Compliance/Action to be taken by operators and pilots
2.1 The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), in exercise of its powers under article 17(1) and 248 of the Air Navigation Order 2016, and subject to, and in accordance with, Regulation (EU) 2018/1139, Article 70, directs Pilots and Operators of any Boeing 737-8 “MAX” and Boeing 737-9 “MAX” aircraft which is registered in the United Kingdom or is registered in a third country, not to conduct any flights after 13:00 hrs on 12 March 2019, as follows:
a) Aircraft registered in the UK must not be flown anywhere.
b) Aircraft registered in a third country must not be flown in UK airspace.
3 Queries
3.1 Any queries or requests for further guidance as a result of this communication should be addressed to Civil Aviation Authority Flight Operations Department
commsflightops@caa.co.uk
4 Cancellation
4.1 This Directive will remain in force until further notice
Signed: Neil Williams
for the Civil Aviation Authority
Date: 12 March 2019
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