AD/ELECT/65 - Marathon Power Technologies PC-250 Static Inverter

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, are a comprehensive set of rules governing civil aviation safety. Part 39, specifically, contains the 107 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which address safety issues pertaining to various aircraft components and systems. One such directive, AD/ELECT/65, pertains to Marathon Power Technologies PC-250 static inverters. This directive was introduced to address the problem of moisture ingress in these inverters, which had previously led to failures. The objective of this directive is to ensure that these inverters, which serve as a source of emergency or standby electrical power in certain aircraft, are protected from moisture ingress to prevent future failures. Compliance with this directive was mandated prior to 15 March 1995, in accordance with the Marathon Power Technologies Service Bulletin 111692-014 Revision 1 dated 15 March 1993.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, applies to Marathon Power Technologies PC-250 series static inverters that are installed in aircraft to provide emergency or standby electrical power. This regulation is applicable to various aircraft models, including the Hawker 800 and BAe 125 Series 800 prior to Constructors Number 258248, as well as DH/BH/HS/BAe 125 Series 1 to 700 post modification 252740. The legislation mandates compliance with Marathon Power Technologies Service Bulletin 111692-014 Revision 1 dated 15 March 1993 to address the reported failures of the PC-250 static inverters due to moisture ingress. The requirement to adhere to this directive must be met prior to 15 March 1995. This directive ensures the inverters are protected from moisture ingress, thereby enhancing the safety and reliability of the aircraft’s emergency or standby electrical power systems.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 107, mandates that Marathon Power Technologies PC-250 static inverters, installed as emergency or standby electrical power sources, adhere to certain requirements (10/94). These inverters are commonly found in various aircraft models, such as the Hawker 800 and BAe 125 Series 800, prior to a specific constructor number, and the DH/BH/HS/BAe 125 Series 1 to 700 post a particular modification. The key requirement is that these inverters must comply with Marathon Power Technologies Service Bulletin 111692-014 Revision 1 dated 15 March 1993. This directive aims to prevent failures caused by moisture ingress, a problem reported by the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The Act imposes several obligations on the parties and entities it governs. Firstly, it mandates that the PC-250 static inverters are installed and maintained in compliance with the specified service bulletin. This involves following the detailed instructions provided to ensure the inverters are protected from moisture ingress. Secondly, it requires that compliance with these directives is achieved prior to a specific date, 15 March 1995. This deadline ensures that all affected aircraft are updated and secured against potential failures due to moisture ingress in a timely manner. Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive can result in significant consequences. While the specific penalties or consequences are not detailed within the text, breaches of civil aviation regulations can generally lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include fines, mandatory corrective actions, or even grounding of the affected aircraft until compliance is achieved. The severity of the penalties can vary based on the nature and extent of the breach, as well as any resultant safety implications.