COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Electrical Equipment
AD/ELECT/52 Bruce Industries Fluorescent Lamp Ballast 1/89
Applicability: All Bruce Industries Inc. fluorescent lamp ballasts P/No 05241-1. Aircraft which may be fitted with these ballasts include, but are not limited to Boeing 727 aircraft, and aircraft modified in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) numbers SA 1081 NW SA 1315 NM, SA 1952 NM, SA 4042 WE, and UK Civil Aviation
Authority Airworthiness Approval Note No 17027 Issue 2.
Note: FAA AD 88-11-08 also refers.
Requirement: Install new fuse in power line in accordance with Bruce Industries Inc. ASB A05241- 33-20-01.
Note: Hitco ASB A9000203-33-20-01 is considered an approved equivalent modification.
Compliance: Prior to 26 February 1989.
Background: Instances have occurred where the fuse and thermal protector currently provided within the ballast have failed to protect the ballast from failure. This has resulted in the emission of smoke and flames from the ballast.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, addresses aviation safety concerns and provides detailed regulations to ensure the safe operation of aircraft in Australian airspace. Enacted by the Parliament of Australia, these regulations aim to maintain the highest standards of safety and reliability in civil aviation. One of the key objectives is to mitigate risks associated with the operation of aircraft, including the maintenance and replacement of critical components such as electrical equipment. The Airworthiness Directives outlined in these regulations are designed to address identified safety issues and ensure that aircraft remain in a condition that is safe for operation.
The inclusion of directives like AD/ELECT/52 for Bruce Industries Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts exemplifies the regulatory intent to proactively manage potential hazards. This particular directive was introduced to address the problem of fuse and thermal protector failures in specific ballasts, which had resulted in incidents of smoke and flames. By mandating the installation of a new fuse in the power line as per specified guidelines, the regulation aims to prevent recurrence of such safety incidents, thereby ensuring the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), mandate specific safety directives concerning the electrical equipment used in aircraft, particularly focusing on the Bruce Industries fluorescent lamp ballasts P/No 05241-1. This directive applies to all such ballasts installed on aircraft, including but not limited to Boeing 727 aircraft and those modified under specific Supplemental Type Certificates. The requirement stipulates the installation of a new fuse in the power line as per Bruce Industries Inc. ASB A05241-33-20-01 or an equivalent modification such as the Hitco ASB A9000203-33-20-01. The directive is applicable to aircraft that were required to comply with the regulation prior to 26 February 1989, responding to incidents where the ballast's existing fuse and thermal protector failed to prevent failures that led to smoke and flames. This regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, enforcing a national standard to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly AD/ELECT/52 concerning Bruce Industries fluorescent lamp ballasts, require the installation of a new fuse in the power line of specified ballasts (s. 1). This applies to all Bruce Industries Inc. fluorescent lamp ballasts with part number 05241-1, including those installed in aircraft such as Boeing 727 and those modified under certain Supplemental Type Certificates (s. 2). The regulation stipulates that the installation of the new fuse must follow the specifications outlined in Bruce Industries Inc. ASB A05241-33-20-01, with an equivalent modification, Hitco ASB A9000203-33-20-01, also considered acceptable (s. 3). This requirement must be met prior to 26 February 1989.
The Act imposes specific obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel. They must ensure that the installation of the new fuse is completed accurately and in compliance with the specified standards (s. 4). Operators and maintenance staff must also ensure that the ballasts in question are identified and that any modifications are properly documented (s. 5). Additionally, the Act mandates that any modifications be carried out by certified personnel to ensure the safety and compliance of the aircraft with civil aviation safety standards (s. 6).
Failure to comply with these provisions can result in serious consequences. Operators and maintenance personnel found in breach of these regulations may face civil or criminal penalties (s. 7). The maximum penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives can include fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety (s. 8). The exact penalties can vary, but they are designed to ensure strict adherence to safety standards to prevent incidents such as those involving the emission of smoke and flames from ballast failures (s. 9).