AD/CL-600/33 - Overwing Emergency Exit Hatches

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, encompasses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft operations. One such directive, AD/CL-600/33, addresses a critical safety issue concerning Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series aeroplanes, particularly those within the CL-600-2B19 'Regional Jet' category, serial numbers 7003 through 7292. This directive was enacted to rectify a problem identified with the overwing emergency exit hatches, where moisture freezing in the fibreglass/foam insulation hindered their removal, posing a potential safety risk. The directive mandates the removal of the insulation blankets surrounding these hatches, in accordance with Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-25-152 dated 26 December 1998, and references a similar directive by Transport Canada, CF-99-01. The aim of this directive is to ensure compliance by 17 July 1999, with the directive becoming effective on 17 June 1999, thereby directly addressing the identified safety concern. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 are administered by the Australian Government under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, with the objective of ensuring the safety of civil aviation in Australia. The enactment of AD/CL-600/33 is a response to a specific operational issue, ensuring that aircraft maintain a high standard of airworthiness and safety, which is a core policy objective of CASA.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the maintenance and operational safety standards of specific aircraft types within Australia. In this context, Airworthiness Directive AD/CL-600/33 applies to Bombardier Inc. (formerly Canadair) CL-600-2B19 ‘Regional Jet’ aircraft, serial numbers 7003 through 7292, mandating the removal of insulation blankets surrounding the overwing emergency exit hatches. This directive is imperative for ensuring that such aircraft comply with safety standards to prevent operational issues that could arise from frozen moisture in the insulation. The requirement must be fulfilled in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions detailed in Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-25-152 dated 26 December 1998, and compliance is mandatory unless already completed prior to 17 July 1999. The directive, which references Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-99-01, became effective on 17 June 1999, highlighting the urgency and necessity for prompt action by operators to maintain airworthiness and safety.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly under Part 39, Section 105, mandate specific safety directives for Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 series aeroplanes, notably the CL-600-2B19 ‘Regional Jet’ aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 7003 to 7292. This directive, denoted as AD/CL-600/33, focuses on the overwing emergency exit hatches. It requires the removal of insulation blankets surrounding these hatches to mitigate the risk of freezing moisture in the fibreglass/foam insulation, which has been identified as a potential hazard. The directive references the Accomplishment Instructions of Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-25-152 dated 26 December 1998 for specific compliance guidelines. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its occupants by preventing issues related to the removal of emergency exits during maintenance. The Act imposes specific obligations on the operators of Bombardier Inc. (formerly Canadair) CL-600-2B19 ‘Regional Jet’ aircraft, mandating them to remove the insulation blankets around the overwing emergency exit hatches as outlined in the referenced bulletin. The compliance date for this directive is set before 17 July 1999, ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the safety requirements by this date. Operators must adhere to the instructions provided in Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-25-152 to achieve this compliance. The directive became effective on 17 June 1999, thereby establishing a timeframe within which the required modifications must be implemented. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in the Airworthiness Directive AD/CL-600/33 can result in significant legal and operational consequences. The Act stipulates that non-compliance with such directives may lead to the grounding of aircraft, which can severely disrupt operations and result in financial losses. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to impose penalties, including fines and sanctions, on operators who fail to adhere to these safety mandates. The specific penalties are not detailed in the text, but they are likely to be substantial given the critical nature of the safety directive. In summary, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Section 105, mandate the removal of insulation blankets around overwing emergency exit hatches on specified Bombardier CL-600-2B19 aircraft. Operators must comply with Bombardier Alert Service Bulletin A601R-25-152 and ensure the work is completed before 17 July 1999. The directive became effective on 17 June 1999. Non-compliance can lead to severe penalties, including fines and operational disruptions. The directive is essential for ensuring the safety of the aircraft and its occupants by preventing issues related to the removal of emergency exits during maintenance.