AD/EMB-110/40 Amdt 2 - Flap Control Switch

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, introduced Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft within Australia. One such AD, AD/EMB-110/40 Amendment 2, was enacted to address a specific safety concern related to the Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) Series Aeroplanes. The issue at hand involved potential chafing between the attaching screws of the flap control switch potentiometer and resistor R273, which could result in inadvertent flap extension. This directive was issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with the objective of mitigating the identified risk and ensuring compliance with safety standards by all affected aircraft, serial numbers 110001 through 110467 inclusive, prior to 2 November 1989. Embraer's Service Bulletin 110-027-0084 Revision 1, as well as the Brazilian AD 88-09-01 Revision 1, are referenced as the basis for the required actions.

Scope and Application

The Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive applies to all EMB-110 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 110001 to 110467 inclusive. This legislation is part of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, issued under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, and is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) within the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive mandates compliance with Embraer Service Bulletin 110-027-0084 Revision 1, addressing a safety concern related to chafing between the flap control switch potentiometer's attaching screws and resistor R273, which could lead to inadvertent flap extension. This requirement was established prior to 2 November 1989, and the directive has since been amended to reflect updates in the applicable part numbers and the requirement documents, as seen in Amendment 2. The directive does not specify exclusions or exemptions but ensures that all specified aircraft must adhere to the outlined safety measures.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) Series aeroplanes. The directive in question is AD/EMB-110/40 Amendment 2, which pertains to the flap control switch (section 105.021). This AD applies to all EMB-110 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 110001 to 110467. The requirement outlined in the AD is that the action must be taken in accordance with Embraer Service Bulletin (SB) 110-027-0084 Revision 1. It is noted that Brazilian AD 88-09-01 Revision 1 also references this issue. The directive imposes a clear obligation on the operators of the affected EMB-110 aircraft to ensure that the flap control switch is addressed as specified in the Embraer SB 110-027-0084 Revision 1. This requirement is critical to prevent inadvertent flap extension, which can be caused by chafing between the attaching screws of the flap control switch potentiometer and resistor R273. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved prior to 2 November 1989, as stipulated in the regulation (section 105.023). Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD can result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to penalties. Specifically, the Civil Aviation Act 1988 provides for both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines of up to $126,000 for individuals and $630,000 for corporations, as per section 90. Criminal penalties may also apply, with individuals facing imprisonment for up to five years and corporations potentially facing even more severe fines under section 91. These stringent penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the AD to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.