COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Electrical Equipment
AD/ELECT/45 Aircraft Batteries - Exide Type 6AC9 and 6AC11 7/84
Applicability: All Exide type 6AC9 and 6AC11 batteries with S/Nos 32659 to 33117. Requirement: 1. Inspect all affected batteries for signs of cracking in the external case.
2. Replace battery.
Note: If electrolyte leakage has occurred, neutralisation and assessment of the damage to the affected area is to be carried out by a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
Compliance: For Para 1: Upon receipt of this directive and thereafter at each Daily Inspection until the battery is replaced.
Note: This inspection may be accomplished by the Pilot in Command, in which case the pilot shall enter and certify for this A.D. in Col. 2 Part 3 of the maintenance release on each occasion.
For Para 2: Upon detecting a cracked battery or within 50 hours time in service after 30 June 1984 if the battery is found serviceable after compliance with Para 1.
Background: The manufacturer has issued a recall notice for these batteries due to problems being experienced with the epoxy resin used to seal them. Several occurrences of case failure with this battery have been reported. The affected batteries have been discontinued and represent the final production batch made by the manufacturer.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, are designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. This legislation, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aims to establish stringent safety standards and operational protocols for all civil aviation activities. One specific regulation under this Act is AD/ELECT/45, which addresses the issue of Exide type 6AC9 and 6AC11 aircraft batteries manufactured with serial numbers ranging from 32659 to 33117. This Airworthiness Directive was introduced to mitigate risks associated with the reported failures in the epoxy resin sealing of these batteries, which have led to instances of case cracking and potential electrolyte leakage. The directive mandates a thorough inspection of these batteries for any signs of cracking and requires their replacement if any defects are detected, with additional procedures to be undertaken in the event of electrolyte leakage. Compliance with this directive is essential to maintain the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically targeting Exide type 6AC9 and 6AC11 batteries with serial numbers ranging from 32659 to 33117. This directive applies to all such batteries in service, requiring operators to inspect for signs of external case cracking and to replace any batteries that show such signs. Additionally, if electrolyte leakage has occurred, a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer must neutralise the leak and assess any damage. Compliance with this directive mandates that inspections be conducted at each daily inspection after receipt of the directive until the battery is replaced, with the pilot in command responsible for entering and certifying compliance in the maintenance release. Replacement of the battery must occur upon detection of cracking or within 50 hours of service time after 30 June 1984 if the battery is found serviceable following inspection. This directive arises from manufacturer recalls due to reported issues with the epoxy resin used in the battery sealing process, which has led to several instances of case failure.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 107, includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically addressing Electrical Equipment in AD/ELECT/45. This directive pertains to Exide type 6AC9 and 6AC11 aircraft batteries with serial numbers ranging from 32659 to 33117. The main operative sections of this directive (1 and 2) require operators to inspect these batteries for signs of cracking in the external case and to replace any battery found to be cracked. If electrolyte leakage has occurred, the damage assessment must be conducted by a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
Operators and owners of aircraft equipped with these specific Exide batteries are obligated to comply with these directives. Section 1 requires a thorough inspection of the affected batteries at each daily inspection until the battery is replaced. This inspection can be performed by the Pilot in Command, who must then certify compliance in the maintenance release form. Section 2 mandates that if a cracked battery is detected, or if the battery is found serviceable after inspection but within 50 hours of time in service after 30 June 1984, the battery must be replaced.
Failure to comply with these directives can lead to serious safety implications and potential regulatory consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the text of the directive itself, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally results in enforcement actions that could include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory sanctions. The severity of these penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance.