AD/EMB-120/5 Amdt 1 - Escape Hatch Marking

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, mandate the Airworthiness Directives for specific aircraft models, including the Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes, as outlined in Amendment 1. This amendment, effective from 31 December 1998, was introduced to address a safety concern related to the visibility of escape hatch markings on the specified Embraer EMB-120 series aircraft. The problem arose from the phosphorescent paint on the placards and handles of the escape hatches being below the required brightness levels, potentially compromising passenger safety during emergency evacuations. The requirement is to replace these markings with either "betalight" placards as per Brazil CTA AD 90-11-02R2 or phosphorescent placards according to Embraer Service Bulletin 120-25-0220, with compliance deadlines set for 30 June 1999 and every seven years thereafter. This directive was issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and aims to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the specified aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Embraer EMB-120 Series Aeroplanes AD/EMB-120/5 Amendment 1 applies to all aircraft within the EMB-120 series, specifically those with serial numbers ranging from 120003 through 120310 and from 120312 through 120319. This directive mandates the replacement of placards and opening handles associated with the type III escape hatches to ensure compliance with safety standards. The requirement is to replace the existing placards and handles with either new "betalight" placards as per Brazil CTA AD 90-11-02R2, or phosphorescent placards as detailed in Embraer Service Bulletin 120-25-0220. The directive necessitates that these replacements be completed by 30 June 1999 unless already performed, and further stipulates that the replacement must be repeated every seven years thereafter to maintain the requisite brightness levels of the emergency instructions, thus ensuring passenger safety during emergency evacuations. The amendment takes effect from 31 December 1998, responding to findings of insufficient brightness in the phosphorescent paint used on the placards and handles, as outlined in the MRB Report, Section 3, Chapter 25, Task 25-21.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, contain the Airworthiness Directive AD/EMB-120/5Amdt 1, which pertains to the Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) series aeroplanes. The directive (Section 1) applies to EMB 120 series aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 120003 to 120310, and from 120312 to 120319. The primary requirement (Section 2) is to replace the placards and opening handles for the type III escape hatches with either new "betalight" placards in accordance with Brazil CTA AD 90-11-02R2, or phosphorescent placards in accordance with Embraer Service Bulletin 120-25-0220. This directive references Brazil CTA AD 90-11-02R2 Amdt 39-840. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and requires the replacement to be completed by 30 June 1999, with subsequent replacements every seven years thereafter, unless already accomplished (Section 3). Entities governed by these regulations must ensure that the specified escape hatch placards and handles are either replaced with the approved "betalight" placards or phosphorescent placards. This is to maintain the required brightness level of the escape hatch markings, which is crucial for passenger safety during emergency evacuations. The directive mandates that these changes must be implemented by the stipulated deadlines, with periodic reviews every seven years to ensure ongoing compliance. Any non-compliance with the timing and specifications of this directive could result in safety risks and potential regulatory consequences. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/EMB-120/5Amdt 1 may result in significant consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the legislative text, non-compliance could lead to safety violations and subsequent regulatory action. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may impose penalties, including fines or other enforcement actions, on operators who fail to adhere to the specified Airworthiness Directives. Additionally, failure to comply could result in the grounding of affected aircraft until the required modifications are completed, potentially leading to operational disruptions and financial losses. The seriousness of the consequences underscores the importance of timely and accurate compliance with these safety directives.