Safety Directive

CAA Notifications on Safety Directives

SD-2023/001: Grounding of all Freefly Astro Aircraft
The purpose of this Safety Directive is to temporarily ground all affected aircraft – Freefly Astro UAS – due to an in-flight software failure causing a crash and an ongoing investigation to determine the root cause by the manufacturer.
Dated: February 2023

SD-2022/001: Offshore Helicopter Helideck Operations
The purpose of this Safety Directive is to replace and revoke SD-2020/003 and is made in the interests of safety of operations to offshore locations (helidecks) for the reasons set out in Chapters 10 and 14 of CAP 1145. Additionally, it is made in further response to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) Safety Recommendations 2003-133 and 135 issued following the accident to Eurocopter AS332L Super Puma G-BKZE at the West Navion drillship on 10 November 2001, and Safety Recommendation (SR) 2011-053 issued following the accident to Eurocopter EC225 LP Super Puma, G-REDU, when approaching the ETAP Central Production Facility platform on 18 February 2009. This SD incorporates updated references to CAP 437 and minor textual edits together with providing additional clarity on its applicability to UK registered helicopters.
Dated: June 2022

SD-2021/004: Non-Part 21 Amateur-Built Balloon and Airship Operational Limitations
The purpose of this Safety Directive is to limit the envelope size and number of occupants in amateur-built balloons and airships until such time as a collaborative working group determines whether an airworthiness assurance system is required.
Dated: September 2021

SD-2021/003: Boeing 737-8, Boeing 737-8200 and Boeing 737-9 (MAX) Return to Service Requirements
This Safety and Operational Directive supersedes and revokes SD-2021/001 and contains measures to enable Boeing 737-8 “MAX” and Boeing 737-9 “MAX to return to service (RTS) subject to certain conditions and requirements, and reflects revisions that have been made to the associated Airworthiness Directives, updates references and extends the applicability of a limitation to the Boeing 737-8200 variant of the aeroplane
Dated: May 2021

SD-2021/002: Limitation of Operations of Boeing 777 Aeroplanes Following Serious Incident of Engine Failure on 20 February 2021
This SD is made in the interests of continued safety of operation and to protect the public following a serious incident on 20 February 2021 involving a United Airlines Boeing 777 aeroplane, Flight 328, where the right-hand engine failed in flight following a suspected fan blade failure. A similar engine failure occurred to a Japanese Airlines Ltd Boeing 777 on 4 December 2020.
This SD has been revoked as of 28 April 2021 as its purpose will be achieved through compliance with the mandatory requirements of associated FAA Airworthiness Directives before further operations are conducted with these aeroplanes.
Dated: May 2021

SD-2021/001: Boeing 737-8 “MAX” and Boeing 737-9 “MAX” Return to Service Requirements
This Safety and Operational Directive supersedes and revokes SD-2020/002 and contains measures to enable Boeing 737-8 “MAX” and Boeing 737-9 “MAX to return to service (RTS) subject to certain conditions and requirements.
Dated: January 2021

SD-2020/003: Offshore Helicopter Helideck Operations
This Safety Directive/Operational Directive replaces and revokes SD 2019/002 and is made in the interests of safety of operations to offshore locations (helidecks) for the reasons set out in Chapters 10 and 14 of CAP 1145. Additionally, it is made in further response to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) Safety Recommendations 2003-133 and 135 issued following the accident to Eurocopter AS332L Super Puma G-BKZE at the West Navion drillship on 10 November 2001, and Safety Recommendation (SR) 2011-053 issued following the accident to Eurocopter EC225 LP Super Puma, G-REDU, when approaching the ETAP Central Production Facility platform on 18 February 2009. This SD incorporates updated references to CAP 437 and minor textual edits together with new requirement for Helideck Monitoring Systems.
Dated: January 2021

SD-2018/001: Conditions Applying to the Operation of Aeroplanes and Helicopters registered in the United Kingdom whose Operator has a Principal Place of Business or is residing in a Third Country other than a Euro
The purpose of this Safety Directive is to direct operators of UK registered NCC and SPO aircraft to treat the CAA as their competent authority for the purpose of the EASA Regulation where the operator is established outside the EASA States. This SD updates and revokes SD 2016/004 with the inclusion of specialised operations
This SD is revoked as of 7 January 2021 – the SD/OD has been revoked as its purpose is now achieved through changes to Commission Regulation (EU) No. 965/2012 (the Air Operations Regulation) as retained and amended in UK domestic law under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
Dated: January 2021

SD-2020/002: 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 is made in the interests of continued safety of operation and to protect the public. It supersedes and replaces SD 2019/001, which is revoked, and introduces the possibility for managed ferry flights into, out
Dated: July 2020

SD-2020/001: State Helicopter Flight Recorder Requirements
This Safety Directive (SD) promulgates the Operational Directive (OD) issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and comes into force on 20 February 2020. It is applicable to operators conducting State emergency services Public Transport (PT) helicopter operations in the UK and supersedes and revokes SD 2018/002. Implementation dates have been revised.
Dated: February 2020

SD-2019/002: Offshore Helicopter Helideck Operations
This Safety Directive/Operational Directive replaces SD 2016/005 and is made in the interests of safety of operations to offshore locations (helidecks) for the reasons set out in Chapters 10 and 14 of CAP 1145. Additionally, it is made in further response to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) Safety Recommendation (SR) 2011-053 issued following the accident to Eurocopter EC225 LP Super Puma, G-REDU, when approaching the ETAP Central Production Facility platform on 18 February 2009. This SD incorporates updated references to CAP 437 and minor textual edits
Dated: March 2019

SD-2019-001: Boeing 737-8 “MAX” and Boeing 737-9 “MAX” Limitation of Operations due to a Fatal Accident in Ethiopia on 10 March 2019
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. 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.
Dated: March 2019

SD-2018/003: Offshore Helicopter Operations – Vibration Health Monitoring
The reason for the issue of this Safety Directive is because the CAA considers that it is in the interests of safe operations that UK registered helicopters conducting offshore operations in a hostile environment continue to be fitted with and operate Vibration Health Monitoring (VHM) equipment pending the full implementation of the revisions to Regulation (EU) No. 965/2012 (the Air Operations Regulation) contained within the new specific approval for offshore helicopters. This directive supersedes SD 2015/002 which is revoked.
Dated: June 2018

SD-2018/002: State Helicopter Flight Recorder Requirements
This Safety Directive (SD) promulgates the Operational Directive (OD) issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and comes into force on 1 May 2018. It is applicable to operators conducting State emergency services Public Transport (PT) helicopter operations in the UK and supersedes and revokes SD 2016/006. Implementation dates have been revised.
Dated: May 2018

SD-2018/001: Conditions Applying to the Operation of Aeroplanes and Helicopters registered in the United Kingdom whose Operator has a Principal Place of Business or is residing in a Third Country other than a European Union or an associated EASA Member State
The purpose of this Safety Directive is to direct operators of UK registered NCC and SPO aircraft to treat the CAA as their competent authority for the purpose of the EASA Regulation where the operator is established outside the EASA States. This SD updates and revokes SD 2016/004 with the inclusion of specialised operations.
Dated: February 2018

SD-2017/002: Airbus Helicopters EC225LP and AS332L2 Limitations of Operations due to a Fatal Accident in Norway on 29 April 2016 and Return to Service Requirements
The purpose of this Safety and Operational Directive is to assure safe operations of Airbus Helicopters EC225LP and AS332L2 helicopters following a fatal accident in Norway with an EC225LP on the 29 April 2016 and replaces SD 2017/001. As a result of the further report from Accident Investigation Board Norway issued on the 28 April 2017, ongoing discussions with EASA, Airbus Helicopters and CAA Norway together with the publication of EASA AD 2017-0134 dated 27 July 2017, the UK CAA and CAA Norway (CAA-N) have determined that the aircraft may be returned to service under controlled conditions and in accordance with operator safety cases.
Dated: August 2017

SD-2017/001: Airbus Helicopters EC225LP and AS332L2 Limitations of Operations due to a Fatal Accident in Norway on 29 April 2016 and Return to Service Requirements
The purpose of this Safety and Operational Directive is to assure safe operations of Airbus Helicopters EC225LP and AS332L2 helicopters following a fatal accident in Norway with an EC225LP on the 29 April 2016 and replaces SD 2016/003. As a result of the further report from Accident Investigation Board Norway issued on the 28 April 2017, ongoing discussions with EASA, Airbus Helicopters and CAA Norway together with the publication of EASA AD 2017-0111 dated 23 June 2017, the UK CAA and CAA Norway (CAA-N) have determined that the aircraft may be returned to service under controlled conditions and in accordance with operator safety cases.
Dated: July 2017

SD-2016/006: State Helicopter Flight Recorder Requirements
This Safety Directive (SD) promulgates the Operational Directive (OD) issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on 22 December 2016 and which comes into force on 01 January 2017. It is applicable to operators conducting State emergency services Public Transport (PT) helicopter operations in the UK.
Dated: December 2016

SD-2016/005: Offshore Helicopter Helideck Operations
This Safety Directive/Operational Directive comes into force on 1 January 2017 is made in the interests of safety of operations to offshore locations (helidecks) for the reasons set out in Chapters 10 and 14 of CAP 1145. Additionally, it is made in further response to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) Safety Recommendation (SR) 2011-053 issued following the accident to Eurocopter EC225 LP Super Puma, G-REDU, when approaching the ETAP Central Production Facility platform on 18 February 2009.
Dated: December 2016

SD-2016/004: Conditions Applying to the Operation of Aeroplanes and Helicopters Registered in the United Kingdom Whose Operator has a Principal Place of Business or is Residing in a Third Country Other than a Euro
The purpose of this Safety Directive is to direct operators of UK registered NCC aircraft to treat the CAA as their competent authority for the purpose of the EASA Regulation where the operator is established outside the EASA States.
Dated: August 2016

SD-2016/003: Airbus Helicopters EC225LP and AS332L2 Limitations of Operations due to a Fatal Accident in Norway on 29 April 2016
This purpose of this Safety and Operational Directive is to assure safe operations of Airbus Helicopters EC225LP and AS332L2 helicopters following a fatal accident in Norway with an EC225LP on the 29 April 2016 and replaces SD 2016/002. As a result of the preliminary report from Accident Investigation Board Norway (AIBN) issued on the 1 June 2016, with an urgent safety recommendation addressed to the European Safety Agency (EASA), the UK Civil Aviation Authority and Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority agreed to extend the scope of their Airbus Helicopters EC225LP and AS332L2 Safety Directives to all operations, including SAR operations. This SD revokes SD-2016/002.
Dated: June 2016