COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Emergency Equipment
AD/EMY/16
Amdt 2
Life Jackets (Beaufort) - Inspection 9/84
Applicability: Beaufort (AIR-SEA) Equipment Life Jackets Mark 6A. Requirement: Accomplish one of the following:-
- (a) Inspect for discolouration, brittleness to touch or porosity. and
(b) Pressure test - inflate life jacket with clean dry air to 3 I.S.I. No loss of pressure is permitted over 1 minute. Inflate to 300 mm water gauge. Max. loss permitted, 20mm over 5 minutes.
2. Test in accordance with a scheme acceptable to the Secretary.
3. Return life jacket to Beaufort Service Agent for inspection and test.
Note: Major Defect Reports must be submitted detailing serial number of the life jacket and the nature of the deterioration.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished within the last 6 months, before 31 October 1984 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding six months.
Background: Further reports of deterioration and test failure have been received on life jackets which were satisfactory when tested in compliance with Amendment 1 to this Directive.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, address the ongoing issue of emergency equipment reliability, particularly life jackets. This legislation was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to ensure that emergency equipment, such as life jackets, meet stringent safety standards. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by mandating regular inspections and tests to prevent failures that could occur during an emergency. The recent amendments aim to further mitigate risks associated with the deterioration of life jackets, ensuring they remain effective and reliable. Compliance with these regulations is crucial, as it directly impacts the safety of passengers and crew in aviation emergencies.
The specific amendment, AD/EMY/16Amdt 2, pertains to Beaufort (AIR-SEA) Equipment Life Jackets Mark 6A, and outlines rigorous inspection and testing protocols to be followed. The requirement includes detailed procedures such as inspecting for physical defects like discolouration, brittleness, or porosity, and conducting pressure tests to ensure the life jackets maintain their structural integrity. The directive mandates compliance at intervals not exceeding six months, with a particular emphasis on reporting any major defects. This amendment is designed to respond to instances of equipment failure and deterioration, reinforcing the commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 107 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertain to the inspection and testing of life jackets manufactured by Beaufort (AIR-SEA) Equipment, namely the Mark 6A Life Jackets. This directive applies to all persons or entities involved in the maintenance and operation of these specific life jackets, ensuring adherence to stringent safety standards within the aviation industry. The regulations mandate that inspections must be performed before 31 October 1984 and at intervals not exceeding six months, unless inspections have already been completed within the last six months. The inspection involves checking for discolouration, brittleness, or porosity and conducting a pressure test with specific parameters to ensure the life jacket's integrity and functionality. Compliance with this directive is compulsory for all operators to maintain the airworthiness of their life jackets and ensure passenger safety. The scope of the regulations is national, applying across Australia under the authority of the Commonwealth.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, Section 107, mandates the inspection and maintenance of emergency equipment, with a focus on life jackets in Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD/EMY/16). Beaufort (AIR-SEA) Equipment Life Jackets Mark 6A are subject to detailed inspection requirements. According to Section 9/84, these life jackets must undergo one of several specific inspections or tests. Firstly, they must be inspected for any discolouration, brittleness, or porosity (Section 1(a)). Secondly, they must be pressure tested by inflating them with clean, dry air to 3 I.S.I. No loss of pressure should be allowed over one minute, and if inflated to 300 mm water gauge, the maximum allowable loss is 20 mm over five minutes (Section 1(b)). Alternatively, life jackets can be tested under a scheme acceptable to the Secretary (Section 2) or returned to a Beaufort Service Agent for inspection and testing (Section 3).
The Act imposes several obligations on the entities it governs. Owners or operators of aircraft equipped with Beaufort (AIR-SEA) Equipment Life Jackets Mark 6A must ensure these inspections and tests are carried out. Compliance must be achieved before 31 October 1984 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding six months (Section 9/84). If the life jacket was already inspected within the last six months, the requirement might be waived, but this must be verified. Additionally, any major defect reports must be submitted, detailing the serial number of the life jacket and the nature of any deterioration (Note).
Violation of these provisions can lead to significant consequences. While the specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed in the excerpt provided, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally attracts penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. This may include fines and, in severe cases, criminal charges. The precise penalties could vary based on the severity of the breach and any associated risks to aviation safety. Therefore, adhering to these inspection and maintenance requirements is crucial to avoid legal repercussions and ensure the safety of all individuals on board.