Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1383 of 8 July 2019 amending and correcting Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 as regards safety management systems in continuing airworthiness management organisations and alleviations for general aviation aircraft concerning maintenance and continuing airworthiness management (Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2018 on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and amending Regulations (EC) No 2111/2005, (EC) No 1008/2008, (EU) No 996/2010, (EU) No 376/2014 and Directives 2014/30/EU and 2014/53/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 552/2004 and (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EEC) No 3922/91^f1, and in particular Article 17(1) and Article 62(14) and (15) thereof,

Whereas:

Commission Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014^f2 contains rules related to maintenance and continuing airworthiness management of certain aircraft. In the interest of proportionality, it is necessary to adapt those rules by introducing simplified requirements corresponding to the lower risks associated with light aircraft in general aviation, which is not listed in the air operator certificate of an air carrier licensed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council^f3. To that end, a new set of requirements ensuring the airworthiness of such aircraft should be introduced. Those requirements should be less stringent than the current requirements in aircraft maintenance programmes, airworthiness reviews and deferment of defects. When such maintenance requirements would be applicable to other than complex motor-powered aircraft, the owner of such aircraft should not be prevented to contract maintenance tasks to maintenance organisation approved under Annex II (Part-145) to Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014.

A new set of rules allowing for more flexibility as regards the definition and the execution of the aircraft maintenance programme should be introduced for aircraft other than complex motor-powered aircraft and not listed in the air operator certificate of an air carrier licensed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008. As a consequence, a new organisation approval with less stringent requirements and combined privileges for maintenance, continuing airworthiness management and for airworthiness reviews and permits to fly should be introduced.

Pursuant to Commission Regulation (EU) No 965/2012^f4, holders of an air operator certificate (‘AOC’) are currently required to have a management system in place, including safety risk management of their activities. One of such activities is the continuing airworthiness management of their aircraft fleet, which is carried out by their own continuing airworthiness management organisation (‘CAMO’), approved in accordance with Subpart G of Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014. However, Subpart G of Annex I does not currently contain any requirements for safety risk management within the CAMO. Therefore, a management system of CAMOs, including safety risk management for organisations that manage the continuing airworthiness of aircraft used by AOC holders, should be introduced. That management system should apply to all CAMOs that manage the continuing airworthiness.

Sufficient transition period should be provided for organisations involved in the continuing airworthiness of aircraft and components to ensure compliance with new rules and procedures introduced by this Regulation.

In order to ensure proportionate rules for aircraft other than complex motor-powered aircraft and not listed in the air operator certificate of an air carrier licensed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008, safety management principles should not apply to combined airworthiness organisations.

In addition, it is also appropriate to align the requirements for the competent authorities with the developments of safety management concepts by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, in particular as regards the introduction of the authority management system, as well as the implementation of the state safety programme and ensuring coordination between authorities.

A wrong airworthiness assessment of the aircraft due to incomplete continuing airworthiness records can pose a risk to flight safety. Therefore, the existing rules related to continuing airworthiness records should be amended.

Some editorial errors leading to interpretation difficulties of certain provisions in Annex III to Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 should be corrected.

Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014 should therefore be amended.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are based on Opinions No 05/2016^f5, No 06/2016^f6 and No 13/2016^f7 issued by the Agency in accordance with Article 76(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council^f8.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 127(3) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1139,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: