Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Airworthiness Directive (AD) CL-600/62 for Bombardier (Canadair) CL-600 (Challenger) Series Aeroplanes in 2004 to address the issue of premature wear of the angle of attack (AOA) vane potentiometer in certain models. This AD was issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. The policy objective of the directive is to ensure the safe operation of the aircraft by mandating specific maintenance actions to rectify the identified safety concern, thus preventing delays in stall warning, stick shaker, and stick pusher operations that could compromise flight safety. The directive requires the amendment of the Aircraft Flight Manual and the performance of a transducer linearity check, with subsequent replacement of the AOA vane if it fails to meet the specified linearity requirements.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 pertains to Bombardier Inc.'s Challenger series aeroplanes specifically those equipped with an angle of attack (AOA) vane Part Number (P/N) 600-59154-5. The AD applies to certain models within the Challenger series, including the CL-600-1A11, CL-600-2A12, CL-600-2B16, and CL-600-2B16 variants, within specified serial number ranges. The directive mandates the amendment of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) with applicable Temporary Revisions and requires a linearity check of the AOA vanes, with replacement if necessary, according to specific instructions. Compliance with these requirements must occur within defined timeframes based on the aircraft's time in service since the installation of the AOA vane. The AD is applicable nationally, as it is issued under the Commonwealth's authority and aims to ensure the continued airworthiness of the specified aircraft by addressing a potential safety issue related to the AOA vane's premature wear.

Key Provisions

This Airworthiness Directive (AD), issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, applies specifically to Bombardier Inc. “Challenger” aircraft models listed with angle of attack (AOA) vane Part Number (P/N) 600-59154-5 installed. The models include CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A/-3R and CL-604), within certain serial number ranges. The directive mandates several specific actions to address an unsafe condition related to the AOA vane. Firstly, it requires the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) to be amended by inserting the applicable Temporary Revision (TR), as detailed in the directive. Secondly, a transducer linearity check must be performed on the AOA vanes in accordance with specific Alert Service Bulletins (ASB) or later revisions approved by Transport Canada. If the transducer does not meet the linearity requirements defined in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), the AOA vane must be replaced with a serviceable unit. The AD imposes several obligations on the entities it governs. Operators and owners of the specified aircraft must ensure that the AFM is updated with the relevant TRs within seven days of the AD’s effective date. For Requirement 2, a transducer linearity check must be carried out before the aircraft accumulates 50 hours of time in service (TIS) since the installation of the AOA vane P/N 600-59154-5, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours TIS. For aircraft with less than 50 hours TIS since the installation of the vane, the check must be performed before 100 hours TIS and then at intervals not exceeding 100 hours TIS. Requirement 3 mandates that if the linearity check reveals a non-compliant AOA vane, it must be replaced before the next flight. Failure to comply with the AD can result in severe consequences. The AD specifies that non-compliance constitutes an offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. For corporations, the maximum penalty for such an offence is $21,000, while for individuals, the penalty can reach $4,200. Additionally, there may be civil or criminal consequences for operating an aircraft that does not meet the airworthiness standards set by the AD, potentially leading to grounding of the aircraft and further enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).