COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/EMB 120/15 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/EMB 120/15
Amdt 1
Propeller Ground Operation - Limitations 13/2000
Applicability: All model Embraer 120 series aircraft.
Requirement: 1. During ground operations do not operate propellers above 60% Np unless;
- Wind speed is less than 10 knots, or
b. The aircraft is headed into the wind +/- 45 degrees.
Note: Monitor wind direction at run-up site.
2. Remove placard P/N 120-30915-001 from the cockpit instrument panel.
3. Install new placard P/N 120-61757-001 to cockpit instrument panel.
4. Develop a change to the aircraft approved System of Maintenance that includes the requirements of FAA AD 95-25-11 Amendment 39-9457, paragraph (d). CAR 42M and CAR 42P refer.
Note: FAA AD 95-25-11 refers.
Compliance: Unless previously accomplished, no later than 12 January 2001.
This Amendment becomes effective on 28 December 2000.
Background: The FAA has advised that high vibration stresses can develop in the propeller during ground running when tail or cross wind conditions are encountered and the propeller is operated at or near 73% of the nominal propeller revolutions.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
This amendment to the Directive deletes reference to a CASA green page amendment to the aircraft flight manual (AFM). This requirement is no longer necessary because the manufacturer has revised the AFM to reflect the intent of the green page amendment.
The original issue of this Directive became effective 22 March 1996.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 13 November 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 22 November 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, govern the safety standards for aircraft operations within Australia. The specific legislative instrument F2006B09504, a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, was introduced to address safety concerns related to the Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia Series Aeroplanes. This particular Airworthiness Directive, AD/EMB 120/15 Amendment 1, was issued to rectify an issue where high vibration stresses could develop in the aircraft's propeller during ground operations under certain conditions, thereby posing a safety risk. The directive mandates specific operational limitations and modifications to the aircraft's maintenance system to mitigate these risks, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the Embraer EMB-120 series aircraft. The policy objective is to uphold the highest standards of aviation safety by preventing unsafe conditions through timely and precise regulatory measures.
Scope and Application
The Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia Series Aeroplanes Airworthiness Directive issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to all aircraft of the Embraer 120 series. This directive mandates specific safety measures to address identified unsafe conditions during ground operations, particularly concerning propeller operation and associated placarding. The directive stipulates that during ground operations, propellers must not be operated above 60% Np unless certain wind conditions are met, and it requires the removal of an old placard and installation of a new one to the cockpit instrument panel. Additionally, the directive mandates changes to the aircraft’s approved System of Maintenance to incorporate relevant FAA directives. The compliance requirement mandates that these actions be completed by 12 January 2001. The directive is applicable nationally and is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), with the delegate’s signature confirming its validity and authority.
Key Provisions
The main sections of the Embraer EMB-120 series Airworthiness Directive (AD/EMB 120/15 Amendment 1) pertain to the specific actions required to address identified safety issues with the aircraft, particularly concerning propeller operation during ground runs and modifications to cockpit placards and the System of Maintenance. The directive specifically applies to all Embraer 120 series aircraft (Applicability). The requirements include limiting propeller operation to 60% Np during ground operations unless certain conditions are met (Requirement 1). Additionally, it mandates the removal of an existing placard and the installation of a new one, as well as updating the aircraft’s System of Maintenance to align with certain FAA directives (Requirements 2, 3, and 4). Compliance with these directives must be achieved by 12 January 2001 (Compliance).
The obligations imposed on the parties governed by this AD are comprehensive. Operators of Embraer 120 series aircraft must adhere to the specified propeller operation limitations during ground runs to mitigate the risk of high vibration stresses that can occur under specific wind conditions. This includes monitoring wind direction at the run-up site and ensuring that the aircraft is either facing into the wind or that the wind speed does not exceed 10 knots. Additionally, operators must replace the existing placard with a new one and ensure that the aircraft's System of Maintenance is updated to reflect the necessary changes as outlined in the AD. These updates are critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD may result in significant legal and safety consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the AD, violations of Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory penalties. Operators found in breach of the AD could face criminal charges and substantial financial penalties if their non-compliance is deemed to have endangered flight safety. Therefore, adherence to the AD is not only a regulatory requirement but also a crucial aspect of maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the Embraer 120 series aircraft.