AD/ELECT/71 - SAFT America Inc. Nickel Cadmium Batteries

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, established by the Australian Parliament, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. Part 39 of these regulations, specifically under Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses technical safety standards for aircraft, aiming to mitigate risks associated with specific components. The legislation aims to fill the gap by providing clear and enforceable directives to ensure that aircraft components meet safety standards, thus protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the aviation industry. The policy objective is to prevent incidents related to the specified components, ensuring that all stakeholders adhere to the highest safety standards. This legislation is crucial for maintaining the safety of civil aviation in Australia, ensuring that aircraft are operated under conditions that minimise risk to passengers, crew, and the general public.

Scope and Application

This legislative instrument, part of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, applies to SAFT America Inc. Nickel Cadmium batteries with specific part numbers manufactured before December 1997. These batteries are primarily used in McDonnell Douglas DC-9 and MD-80 series aeroplanes, although they may be fitted to other aircraft as well. The directive mandates the replacement of all battery terminal screws and verification of battery cells, with non-compliant cells to be replaced. These actions must be conducted in accordance with SAFT Aviation Batteries Service Bulletin Document No A00027, Rev G, dated 14 July 1998. Compliance with this directive requires the installation of a compliance label on the battery, which can be obtained from SAFT or manufactured by the operator. The directive becomes effective on 3 December 1998, and compliance must be achieved at the next scheduled battery maintenance within three to fifteen months of this date. This regulation applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia and is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD/ELECT/71) focus on the safety and maintenance requirements for specific SAFT America Inc. Nickel Cadmium batteries (section 13/98). These batteries, manufactured prior to December 1997, and identified by specific part numbers (021929-000 and 021904-000), must be replaced with new terminal screws and checked for the presence of design specification cells. If non-design specification cells are found, they must be replaced as well. These actions are to be carried out in accordance with the instructions provided in SAFT Aviation Batteries Service Bulletin Document No. A00027, Rev G, dated 14 July 1998. Additionally, a compliance label must be affixed to the battery, following the instructions in the Service Bulletin, and it must be installed as depicted in Figures 3 and 4 on page 8 of the document. The obligations imposed by this directive include ensuring that all applicable batteries are either replaced or checked and updated as per the Service Bulletin. Specifically, operators must verify the condition of the battery cells and replace any that do not meet the design specifications. The directive also requires the replacement of all battery terminal screws and the installation of a compliance label on the battery. These actions must be completed at the next scheduled battery maintenance, which should occur no later than three calendar months after the effective date of this directive or within the next 15 calendar months after the effective date, whichever is sooner. Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive can lead to serious safety risks, as the directive is intended to prevent potential battery failures that could lead to the loss of emergency power systems on aircraft. The potential consequences of non-compliance could include grounding of aircraft until the batteries are properly maintained or replaced, which could result in significant operational disruptions. The directive references FAA AD 98-20-17 Amdt 39-10784, indicating that adherence to the specified safety measures is crucial to avoid serious safety incidents. The directive becomes effective on 3 December 1998, and compliance is mandatory for all affected aircraft operators.