AD/EMB-120/6 - Fire Protection Engine Fire Detector Sensor Element

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through F2006B09523, was enacted to enhance the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This legislative instrument introduces specific airworthiness directives for particular aircraft models to mitigate identified risks. The Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers 12004 and 12006 through 120275 inclusive, and equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW118A model engines, fall under these regulations. The directive aims to address the problem of internal engine oil fires that have occurred in the intercompressor case of these engines, which can potentially exit the case through the external air tube. Compliance with the Embraer Service Bulletin 120-26-0019 and Pratt and Whitney Canada Service Bulletin 21112, issued in early 1992, is required to ensure early detection of such fires. The policy objective is to enhance aircraft safety by providing an effective means of detecting engine fires early, thereby preventing potential hazards. The Australian Government, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), enacted these regulations to ensure that specific models of aircraft meet stringent safety standards. This directive is part of a broader effort to align Australian civil aviation safety regulations with international standards and best practices, ensuring that aircraft operating within Australian airspace are as safe as possible. By mandating compliance with service bulletins that outline specific actions to detect and mitigate engine fires, the legislation seeks to address a known safety issue in a targeted and effective manner.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, pertain to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This particular legislative instrument, AD/EMB-120/6, applies to Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers, namely those between 12004 and 120275 inclusive, which are equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW118A model engines. The directive mandates that these aircraft must adhere to the requirements outlined in Embraer Service Bulletin 120-26-0019 dated 30 January 1992 and Pratt and Whitney Canada Service Bulletin 21112 dated 13 February 1992. This compliance is crucial for addressing the risk of internal engine oil fires in the intercompressor case of PW118A engines, which may result in fires exiting at the external air tube connecting the P2.5/P3 switching valve to the rear inlet case. Compliance with this directive ensures early detection of such fires, thus enhancing aviation safety. The requirement for compliance was set prior to 20 November 1992, as referenced by the Brazilian Civil Aviation Authority AD 92-03-01 Amdt 39-695. This directive is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, underscoring its national reach within the aviation industry.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandate compliance with certain airworthiness directives to ensure safety in aviation. The particular directive AD/EMB-120/6 (paragraph 1) applies to Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 12004 and 12006 through to 120275 inclusive, and which are equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW118A model engines. The directive requires adherence to Embraer Service Bulletin 120-26-0019 dated 30 January 1992 and Pratt and Whitney Canada Service Bulletin 21112 dated 13 February 1992. This action is taken in response to instances of internal engine oil fires that have occurred in the intercompressor case (ICC) of these engines, which can potentially exit the ICC at the external air tube connecting the P2.5/P3 switching valve to the rear inlet case. The directive aims to provide a means of early detection of such fires. Entities governed by this directive must ensure that the specified actions are taken in compliance with the referenced service bulletins. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved before 20 November 1992. This requirement is crucial for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the specified Embraer EMB-120 series aeroplanes, particularly in preventing catastrophic engine fires that could result from undetected internal oil fires. Failure to comply with this airworthiness directive can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly detail the penalties for non-compliance within the directive itself, but non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in significant regulatory action. This may include fines, grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved, or even revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate. Such actions are taken to ensure that all aircraft maintain the highest safety standards as mandated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The specific penalties may vary depending on the severity and frequency of the non-compliance, as well as other relevant regulatory provisions.