AD/ELECT/59 Amdt 1 - Ignition Switches

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Civil Aviation Amendment (Airworthiness) Regulations 2006, addresses the critical issue of ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft through the issuance of airworthiness directives. These directives mandate specific actions to be taken by aircraft operators to maintain safety standards, including the inspection and maintenance of critical components such as ignition switches. The policy objective is to mitigate risks associated with component failure, particularly those that could lead to catastrophic outcomes, such as engine power loss. The compliance with these directives is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), an entity established under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which aims to ensure the highest standards of safety in civil aviation within Australia. The amendment to the airworthiness directive concerning ignition switches was introduced to alleviate the pressure on aircraft operators to source replacement parts by easing the compliance period for the installation of a starter solenoid diode, thereby ensuring continued operational safety without unnecessary delays.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to the inspection and maintenance of ignition switches in certain aircraft models manufactured by ACS Products Company and Gerdes Products Company. The specified aircraft include Piper PA-38-112, Schweizer GA-164 and 2-37 series, and various Cessna models such as the 150, 152, 172, 177, 180, 182, 185, U206, 207, and 210 series, each with specific serial number ranges for Cessna models. The regulation mandates the inspection of these ignition switches for signs of wear or corrosion and necessitates their lubrication or replacement if damaged, as per the provided service bulletins. Additionally, it requires the installation of a starter solenoid diode if not already present. Compliance with these directives is mandatory within 100 hours of service after 24 June 1993, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 2000 hours. This regulation aims to mitigate the risk of engine power loss due to ignition switch failures, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39, mandates specific safety directives concerning the maintenance and inspection of ignition switches on various aircraft models. According to Section 107, one of the directives, AD/ELECT/59Amdt 1, pertains to ignition switches manufactured by ACS Products Company or Gerdes Products Company, which are installed in aircraft such as Piper PA-38-112, Schweizer GA-164 and 2-37 series, and various Cessna models. The directive requires the inspection of these ignition switches for signs of wear or corrosion and mandates their lubrication in accordance with specific service bulletins (Section 1.1). If any corrosion or wear is detected, the directive requires the replacement of the damaged components or the entire ignition switch before further flight. This requirement does not apply to ACS ignition switches without a "start" position (models A-150-1 and A-510-5) manufactured after 20 February 1989 and which have not accumulated 2000 hours of service (Section 1.2). The second requirement of the directive involves inspecting the installation of the ignition switch to determine if a diode or other surge suppressor is installed on the starter solenoid. If no such device is present, it must be installed before further flight, in accordance with the specified service bulletins (Section 2). Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 100 hours of service after 24 June 1993 or during the next periodic servicing, whichever comes first, and then at intervals not exceeding 2000 hours of service (Section Compliance). The regulations impose clear obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to adhere to these directives. They must inspect and maintain the ignition switches and their installations according to the specified requirements and timelines. Failure to comply with these directives can result in serious safety issues, including the risk of an inability to control the electrical power supply to the engine, potentially leading to engine failure or other critical failures during flight. Breaches of these requirements can lead to civil or criminal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to take enforcement actions against non-compliant entities. The potential penalties for non-compliance are not explicitly stated in the directive, but they can include fines, sanctions, and the possibility of grounding the affected aircraft until the required maintenance is performed. The severity of the penalties can depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance and its impact on aviation safety.