COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Electrical Equipment
AD/ELECT/55
Amdt 2
Texas Instruments Circuit Breakers 8/93
Applicability: Texas Instruments three phase circuit breakers models 6TC6-7.5; 6TC6-10; 6TC20-
7.5 and 6TC20-10 date coded 8150 or earlier.
Note: Aircraft known to have these circuit breakers installed include, but are not limited to, aircraft manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Lockheed Corporation.
Requirement: If not previously accomplished inspect the circuit breakers listed above to determine the date code. If the date code is 8150 or earlier, replace the circuit breaker.
Note: FAA AD 90-09-10, Boeing SBs 747-24-2135, 757-24-0054, 767-24-0060, and
Lockheed SB 093-24-134 refer.
Compliance: The Compliance for the previous issue of this Directive was prior to 12 November 1990. Compliance for this issue is prior to 22 October 1993.
Background: Some aircraft have experienced inflight fires which have been attributed to overheating of Texas Instruments circuit breakers. Compliance with this AD is considered necessary to prevent potential overheating of these affected circuit breakers which could result in an onboard fire.
Amendment 1 to this Directive was issued to correct a typographical error only. Amendment 2 is issued to correct errors in the reference documentation and to clarify the requirement.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Regulations 1998, are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These regulations were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia by establishing standards for the airworthiness of aircraft and related equipment. The specific amendment in focus, AD/ELECT/55 Amendment 2, targets an identified safety issue concerning certain Texas Instruments circuit breakers. The amendment aims to prevent potential overheating and subsequent inflight fires by mandating the inspection and replacement of affected circuit breakers on specified aircraft models. Compliance with these directives is crucial to maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation, ensuring that all aircraft meet the necessary requirements to operate safely within Australian airspace.
The problem addressed by AD/ELECT/55 Amendment 2 involves the risk of inflight fires due to overheating in specific Texas Instruments circuit breakers installed in various aircraft, including those manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Lockheed Corporation. This safety directive was introduced to rectify the issue by requiring the inspection of the circuit breakers' date codes and the replacement of those manufactured on or before 8150. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to airworthiness directives to mitigate risks and maintain the integrity of aviation safety standards. By implementing these measures, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority aims to prevent potential hazards that could compromise the safety of passengers and crew.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertain to the mandatory inspection and replacement of certain Texas Instruments three-phase circuit breakers in aircraft. This directive applies to models 6TC6-7.5; 6TC6-10; 6TC20-7.5 and 6TC20-10 with date codes 8150 or earlier, which are installed in aircraft such as those manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Lockheed Corporation. The requirement is for operators to inspect these circuit breakers to determine their date code and replace those with a date code of 8150 or earlier to prevent potential overheating and onboard fires. The directive has been updated with amendments to correct errors and clarify requirements, with compliance dates set for prior to 22 October 1993. This legislation extends its jurisdiction across the Commonwealth of Australia, enforcing stringent safety standards for civil aviation to ensure the safety and reliability of air travel within its jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD/ELECT/55 Amdt 2), address the critical issue of Texas Instruments three-phase circuit breakers in certain aircraft. The relevant models covered are the 6TC6-7.5, 6TC6-10, 6TC20-7.5, and 6TC20-10, which must be dated 8150 or earlier to fall under the directive. These circuit breakers are notably installed in aircraft produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Lockheed Corporation, among others.
Aircraft owners and operators must inspect the circuit breakers to determine their date code. If the date code is 8150 or earlier, the regulation mandates the replacement of these circuit breakers to mitigate the risk of inflight fires caused by overheating. This directive is underpinned by previous safety communications from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA AD 90-09-10) and specific service bulletins from Boeing and Lockheed, underscoring the importance of this safety measure.
The obligations imposed by this directive require operators to conduct thorough inspections and make necessary replacements promptly. Non-compliance with these provisions can lead to severe consequences, including potential grounding of the aircraft and significant safety risks. Operators must ensure that all affected aircraft are inspected and any necessary replacements are completed before the specified compliance dates.
Failure to comply with this directive can result in serious penalties, both civil and criminal. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to impose fines and take enforcement actions against non-compliant operators. The exact penalties can vary, but the potential for significant financial penalties and legal repercussions underscores the importance of strict adherence to the directive. Ensuring compliance not only safeguards the aircraft and its occupants but also maintains the integrity of the aviation safety framework in Australia.