AD/CL-600/19 - Fire Extinguishing Bottle Squib Wiring

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, are designed to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. A specific legislative instrument, F2006B08578, addresses safety issues related to Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series Aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the fire extinguishing bottle squib wiring. This directive aims to mitigate the risk of inadvertent cross-connection of fire extinguisher squibs during maintenance, which could potentially direct the extinguishing agent to the wrong engine in the event of a fire. The policy objective is to ensure that all affected aircraft undergo a special check and modification of their fire extinguisher systems to prevent such safety hazards. The regulation mandates that all CL 600-1A11 aircraft serial numbers 1004 through 1085 must perform a special check of the fire extinguisher system wiring within 50 hours of time in service after 28 December 1989, and modify the system within 100 hours of the same period. This proactive approach ensures that any existing issues are identified and resolved while also preventing future occurrences of the identified safety risk.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the application of Airworthiness Directives concerning the Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) series aeroplanes, with the directive AD/CL-600/19 focusing on the fire extinguishing bottle squib wiring. This legislation applies to all CL 600-1A11 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 1004 through 1085, targeting the rectification of a potential safety hazard. The directive requires operators to perform a special check of the fire extinguisher system wiring and subsequently modify the system to prevent inadvertent cross connections of the fire extinguisher squibs during maintenance, as outlined in Canadair Service Bulletin A600-0581. The checks must be completed within 50 hours of time in service following 28 December 1989, and the modifications must be carried out within 100 hours of the same date. This regulation extends its reach to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), and applies uniformly across all relevant aircraft within the specified serial number range.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly under Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for the Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series Aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/CL-600/19, pertains to fire extinguishing bottle squib wiring. This directive applies to all CL 600-1A11 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 1004 through 1085. The directive mandates two primary actions to address a potential safety hazard. Firstly, it requires a special check of the fire extinguisher system wiring in accordance with Canadair Service Bulletin A600-0581 (Section 1). Secondly, it requires modifications to the fire extinguisher system, also as specified in Canadair Service Bulletin A600-0581 (Section 2). The directive outlines specific compliance timelines, demanding that the special check be performed within 50 hours of time in service after 28 December 1989, and the modifications be completed within 100 hours of time in service after the same date. The obligations imposed by the AD/CL-600/19 are clear and specific. Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the special check and subsequent modifications are performed by qualified personnel, following the guidance provided in Canadair Service Bulletin A600-0581. This requirement is designed to validate the current configuration of the aircraft's fire extinguisher system and prevent any inadvertent cross connections of the fire extinguisher squibs during maintenance, which could lead to the extinguishing agent being directed to the wrong engine in the event of a fire. Operators must maintain records of these checks and modifications to demonstrate compliance with the directive. Failure to comply with the AD/CL-600/19 may result in significant consequences. Although the regulations do not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, it is understood that failure to adhere to airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by CASA. Such actions may include grounding the aircraft until the required checks and modifications are completed, fines, or other civil penalties. Furthermore, operating an aircraft that does not comply with airworthiness directives can be considered a breach of safety regulations, potentially leading to criminal charges if the non-compliance results in an accident or other safety incidents. Therefore, it is crucial for operators to adhere strictly to the requirements set forth in AD/CL-600/19 to ensure the safety and airworthiness of their aircraft.