COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes
AD/DHC-8/27
Amdt 1
Passenger Service Units Printed Circuit Boards 2/94
Applicability: All DHC-8 aircraft serial number 3 to 369, which have accumulated more than 600 flight hours and which are fitted with Passenger Service Units (PSU) with the following part numbers:
10-1418-1 | 10-1081-1 | 10-1081-4 | 10-1081-7 | 10-1418-2 |
10-1081-2 | 10-1081-5 | 10-1081-8 | 10-1081-3 | 10-1081-6 |
Requirement: Action in accordance with Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division Alert Service Bulletin A8-33-30 Revision A dated 18 December 1992.
Note: Transport Canada CF-93-01R1 dated 3 December 1993 refers.
Compliance: The original compliance was prior to 1 May 1993, unless already accomplished in the 300 flight hours before 1 April 1993 and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours until Modification No 8/1950 is incorporated.
The compliance for this amendment is: unless previously accomplished in accordance with the previous issue of this Directive, then prior to 3 March 1994 and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 hours time in service, until Modification No 8/1950 is incorporated in accordance with Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division Service Bulletin 8-33-34 dated 10 August 1993.
Background: Signs of overheating of the PSU printed circuit boards (PCB) and power supply connectors have been reported by DHC-8 operators. An investigation has indicated that this overheat problem was caused by moisture ingress into the PSU connectors which led to corrosion of the PCB pins/connector interfaces. The corroded PCB and/or connectors, if not detected and corrected, may lead to an excessive overheat condition and a potential fire hazard.
This amendment clarifies the aircraft serial number range, increases the number of affected PSUs and advises the Service Bulletin Number which provides terminating action.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has introduced an amendment to the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. This amendment, identified as AD/DHC-8/27 Amendment 1, addresses the problem of overheating in the printed circuit boards (PCB) of the Passenger Service Units (PSU) of Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 series aeroplanes. The issue stems from moisture ingress into the PSU connectors, leading to corrosion and the risk of excessive overheating and potential fire hazards. The amendment aims to ensure the safety of DHC-8 aircraft serial numbers 3 to 369 that have accumulated more than 600 flight hours and are fitted with certain PSUs. Compliance with this directive is mandated to mitigate these risks, with specific requirements outlined for PSU maintenance and inspections, ensuring they are conducted at specified intervals to maintain airworthiness.
The policy objective behind this directive is to enhance aviation safety by proactively addressing potential hazards associated with the PSUs in DHC-8 aircraft. CASA’s directive requires operators to follow the Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division Alert Service Bulletin A8-33-30 Revision A dated 18 December 1992, and its subsequent amendment, to ensure that PSUs are inspected and maintained in accordance with the specified parameters. This legislative measure reflects the commitment to maintaining high safety standards within the aviation industry, ensuring that all stakeholders adhere to stringent safety protocols.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as detailed in the legislative instrument F2006B09182, specifically addresses airworthiness directives under Part 39 - 105, with a focus on the Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes. This regulation applies to all DHC-8 aircraft within a specified serial number range, from 3 to 369, that have accumulated over 600 flight hours and are equipped with certain Passenger Service Units (PSU) bearing specific part numbers. The regulation mandates adherence to Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division Alert Service Bulletin A8-33-30 Revision A dated 18 December 1992, with a reference to Transport Canada CF-93-01R1 dated 3 December 1993. Compliance with the directive necessitates corrective action to address potential overheating and fire hazards arising from moisture ingress and subsequent corrosion of PSU connectors, with specific timelines for original compliance and subsequent intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours until a specified modification is incorporated. This regulation does not explicitly state exclusions or thresholds but does extend its application through references to subordinate service bulletins.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates Airworthiness Directives (AD) concerning various aircraft types. The AD/DHC-8/27 Amendment 1 pertains to Bombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 series aeroplanes and addresses issues with Passenger Service Units (PSU) printed circuit boards. The directive applies to DHC-8 aircraft serial numbers 3 to 369 that have accumulated more than 600 flight hours and are equipped with specific PSU part numbers (sections (2) and (3)). The directive requires compliance with Bombardier Regional Aircraft Division Alert Service Bulletin A8-33-30 Revision A dated 18 December 1992 (section (4)).
Entities governed by this Act, such as aircraft operators and maintenance organisations, must ensure that the PSU printed circuit boards of the specified DHC-8 aircraft are inspected and maintained according to the requirements set out in the Alert Service Bulletin. This includes addressing any signs of overheating, moisture ingress, and corrosion of the PCB pins/connector interfaces. The original compliance deadline was prior to 1 May 1993, unless the action was already completed within 300 flight hours before 1 April 1993 (section (5)). For this amendment, compliance must be achieved prior to 3 March 1994, unless previously accomplished according to the previous issue of this Directive, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 600 hours of time in service until Modification No 8/1950 is incorporated (section (6)).
Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious safety hazards, including potential fire risks. Although the Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance with specific ADs, general non-compliance with safety regulations may lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions can include fines, legal proceedings, and potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. Additionally, operators found in breach of the regulations could face reputational damage and increased scrutiny from regulatory authorities.