AD/EMB-110/52 - Rear Door Operating Mechanism

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, include specific provisions aimed at ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft within Australia. Among these, Part 39 - 105 addresses Airworthiness Directives, which are mandatory requirements intended to correct safety deficiencies. One such directive, AD/EMB-110/52, targets the Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) series aeroplanes, specifically addressing the rear door operating mechanism. This directive was introduced following reports of sheared rivets that connect the rear door's opening/closing mechanism to the locking rod’s arm, which posed a risk of in-flight door opening and consequent loss of the door. The objective is to ensure compliance within 300 hours of time in service or at the next B2 level inspection, whichever comes first, after 14 August 1997. The policy objective behind this directive is to enhance aviation safety by mitigating the risks associated with the identified mechanical failure. By mandating specific corrective actions, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority aims to maintain the structural integrity and operational safety of the affected aircraft models, thereby protecting both the passengers and crew onboard. The directive references Embraer Service Bulletin 110-52-0044 for the required actions and notes the relevance of CTA AD 97-05-01 Amendment 39-773.

Scope and Application

The Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive (AD/EMB-110/52) applies specifically to aircraft within the EMB-110 model range, bearing serial numbers from 110001 through 110085. This directive is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is intended to address the identified safety concern of the rear door operating mechanism, particularly the sheared rivets that could potentially lead to an in-flight door opening. The directive mandates that corrective action must be taken in accordance with Embraer Service Bulletin 110-52-0044. The requirement is to comply within 300 hours of time in service or at the next B2 level inspection, whichever comes first, and applies to all affected aircraft after 14 August 1997. This legislation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all relevant aircraft operators within the national jurisdiction adhere to the specified safety measures to mitigate the risk of in-flight door failures.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly PART 39 - 105, mandates the maintenance and airworthiness of specific aircraft models, including the Embraer EMB-110 (Bandeirante) Series Aeroplanes. The legislation includes specific Airworthiness Directives (AD) aimed at ensuring safety. One such directive, AD/EMB-110/52, concerns the rear door operating mechanism of the EMB-110 models with serial numbers ranging from 110001 to 110085. This directive requires operators to adhere to Embraer Service Bulletin 110-52-0044 (section 9/97). The action must be taken within 300 hours of time in service or at the next B2 level inspection, whichever comes first, after 14 August 1997. The directive imposes specific obligations on aircraft operators to ensure the safety of the rear door operating mechanism. Operators must conduct the necessary modifications or inspections as outlined in the Embraer Service Bulletin. The directive specifically addresses the issue of sheared rivets that attach the opening/closing mechanism to the locking rod’s arm of the rear doors. This requirement is critical to prevent potential in-flight door opening, which could lead to the loss of the door and further complications. Failure to comply with the AD/EMB-110/52 directive could result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can impose penalties on non-compliant operators. While the exact penalties are not specified in the text, it is understood that such breaches could result in significant fines and potentially grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are completed. Additionally, non-compliance could lead to legal actions, further financial penalties, and damage to the operator’s reputation. Ensuring adherence to this directive is therefore essential for maintaining the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.