Overview

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CL-600/48, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in 2002, addresses a specific safety concern identified in Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series aeroplanes, particularly those within the serial number range of 7003 through 7573. This directive was enacted to ensure that the dust covers of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) retain their chemical agent resistant coating. This requirement was prompted by observations that the aft equipment compartment environment was causing the orange paint and essential markings on these covers to strip away, which compromises the integrity and identification of the equipment. CASA, through its delegate Eugene Paul Holzapfel, mandated this directive to maintain the safety and operational reliability of the affected aircraft by enforcing timely compliance with the specified inspection and maintenance actions before 28 June 2003.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive AD/CL-600/48 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) pertains specifically to Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series Aeroplanes with model CL-600-2B19 “Regional Jet” and serial numbers ranging from 7003 through 7573. This directive mandates that a visual inspection of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) dust covers be conducted to ascertain whether a chemical agent-resistant coating has been applied. This action is necessitated by the identified risk of paint stripping and loss of essential markings due to environmental conditions within the aft equipment compartment. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in the directive may compromise the aircraft’s safety. The directive applies to the specified aircraft models and serial numbers, demanding compliance with the actions prescribed by 28 June 2003. The directive does not explicitly mention exclusions or exemptions, but its applicability is limited to the particular aircraft models and serial numbers specified. The CASA delegate’s authority to issue such directives extends through subordinate instruments, ensuring that the safety standards are upheld in the aviation industry within Australia.

Key Provisions

This Airworthiness Directive (AD), issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as per subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, applies specifically to Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series Aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers 7003 through 7573. The AD mandates certain actions to address an identified unsafe condition related to the paint stripping on the dust covers of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR). Section 1 of the directive requires operators to visually inspect the dust covers of the FDR and CVR to ascertain if they have been coated with a chemical agent-resistant substance. This inspection must be completed before 28 June 2003. If the dust covers lack the necessary coating, operators must either rework the covers following the instructions in Part B of the applicable Bombardier Service Bulletins or install new covers marked “CLR CTD” as outlined in Part C of the Service Bulletins. The directive imposes several obligations on the operators of the affected aircraft. Primarily, they must ensure that the dust covers of the FDR and CVR are inspected for the specified protective coating before the compliance date. If the inspection reveals that the covers do not have the required coating, operators must undertake the appropriate corrective action: either reworking the existing covers or installing new ones. These actions must adhere to the detailed instructions provided in the relevant Bombardier Service Bulletins. Failure to comply with these requirements could compromise the integrity of the FDR and CVR systems, which are crucial for flight safety and post-incident investigations. Violation of this Airworthiness Directive can lead to serious consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD itself, non-compliance with ADs generally results in severe regulatory action, including potential fines, penalties, and operational restrictions. In more extreme cases, non-compliance could lead to the grounding of the affected aircraft until the required actions are taken, which could significantly impact the airline's operations. The directive also highlights that Transport Canada has issued a similar directive (CF-2001-45), indicating a coordinated international effort to address this safety issue.