COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Skyfox Aviation (Hedaro) CA25 Series Aeroplanes
AD/CA25/9 Alternator Circuit Breaker Switch 12/98 TX
Applicability: All CA25 aeroplanes prior to Serial Number (S/N) CA25068 and CA25N aeroplanes prior to S/N CA25N075 with alternator switch Part Number W31X2A1G-30 fitted.
Note: The switch may have been fitted either during construction or in accordance with Skyfox Aviation Service Bulletin (SB) No 11 dated 29 January 1996.
Requirement: 1. If not previously accomplished, inspect the aircraft for correct installation of the 30 Amp alternator circuit breaker switch in accordance with Skyfox Aviation SB No 19 dated 28 October 1997.
2. If, as a result of the Requirement 1 inspection, the alternator circuit breaker switch is found to be incorrectly installed, rework the installation in accordance with SB No 19.
Compliance: 1. Within 10 hours time in service or 30 days after the effective date of this directive, which ever occurs first.
2. Prior to further flight after the Requirement 1 inspection.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 18 September 1998.
Background: Skyfox Aviation has advised that, in some cases, the alternator circuit breaker switch may be incorrectly installed. If this is the case the switch will operate correctly but the circuit breaker would fail to trip during excessive current flow. This could allow the aircraft wiring to overheat, resulting in smoke in the cockpit and a possible in- flight fire.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, were introduced to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. One of the key components of these regulations is Part 39 - 105, which addresses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This particular legislative instrument, F2006B04840, pertains to Skyfox Aviation (Hedaro) CA25 Series Aeroplanes and specifically targets an issue with the alternator circuit breaker switch. The policy objective is to prevent potential safety hazards by mandating inspections and corrections for specific aircraft models. This directive became effective on 18 September 1998, requiring compliance within a defined timeframe to ensure that any issues with the installation of the alternator circuit breaker switch are addressed promptly, thus mitigating the risk of overheating and potential fires.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the maintenance and safety standards for aircraft within Australian jurisdiction. This particular legislation, AD/CA25/9, applies to all CA25 aeroplanes with specific serial numbers and CA25N aeroplanes with certain serial numbers that have an alternator switch Part Number W31X2A1G-30 fitted. This directive mandates an inspection and potential rework of the 30 Amp alternator circuit breaker switch, to ensure it is installed correctly, as per Skyfox Aviation Service Bulletin No 19 dated 28 October 1997. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in circuit breaker malfunctions leading to overheating of aircraft wiring, which poses significant safety risks including smoke in the cockpit and potential in-flight fires. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 10 hours of service or 30 days from the effective date of the directive, whichever comes first, and before further flights following inspection. The regulations extend to all relevant aircraft operating within Australia, ensuring uniform safety standards across the nation.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39, Section 105, mandate compliance with Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). One such directive is AD/CA25/9, concerning the alternator circuit breaker switch on Skyfox Aviation (Hedaro) CA25 Series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all CA25 aeroplanes with serial numbers (S/N) prior to CA25068 and CA25N aeroplanes with S/N prior to CA25N075 that have the alternator switch Part Number W31X2A1G-30 installed. The switch in question might have been fitted during the aircraft's construction or as per Skyfox Aviation Service Bulletin (SB) No 11 dated 29 January 1996.
The directive outlines two primary requirements. Firstly, if the aircraft has not already been inspected, it must be inspected for the correct installation of the 30 Amp alternator circuit breaker switch, following the guidelines provided in Skyfox Aviation Service Bulletin (SB) No 19 dated 28 October 1997. Secondly, if the inspection reveals that the switch is incorrectly installed, the installation must be reworked in accordance with SB No 19. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within 10 hours of the aircraft being in service or within 30 days of the directive's effective date, whichever comes first. Furthermore, the corrective actions must be completed before the aircraft is flown again after the inspection.
The obligations imposed by the AD/CA25/9 include ensuring that the aircraft is inspected and any necessary rework of the alternator circuit breaker switch installation is completed within the specified timeframes. The directive ensures that the aircraft meets safety standards to prevent potential overheating of the aircraft wiring, which could result in smoke in the cockpit and a possible in-flight fire.
Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious safety risks. While the regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, CASA can impose penalties, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft, under other sections of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. Non-compliance can also lead to criminal charges and imprisonment under relevant aviation safety legislation, with penalties that may include substantial fines and imprisonment terms depending on the severity of the breach.