AD/EMY/24 - Aerazur Life Rafts

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 107, specifically address the safety of emergency equipment on aircraft, such as life rafts, through Airworthiness Directives. This legislative instrument, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aims to ensure that emergency equipment meets safety standards and are fit for service on Australian registered aircraft. The policy objective is to mandate the installation and maintenance of emergency equipment to prevent malfunctions that could endanger passengers and crew during an emergency. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority oversees compliance with these directives, ensuring that aircraft are maintained to the highest safety standards. One such directive, AD/EMY/24, pertains to Aerazur life rafts installed on Aerospatiale Helicopters, specifically those with part numbers listed and serial numbers up to 198. This directive, originally issued by the French Authority as DGAC AD 91-166 (AB), requires additional rivets to be installed to enhance the top cover ejection resistance of the life rafts, along with a check to ensure the vent hole passage does not open prematurely. The compliance period for Australian registered aircraft has been extended by two months to 31 December 1991, as noted in the requirement document. This adjustment aims to provide sufficient time for operators to comply with the directive, thereby maintaining the safety and reliability of emergency equipment on Australian aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, applies to Aerazur life rafts installed on Aerospatiale Helicopters with particular part numbers and serial numbers up to 198. These rafts, when installed on Australian registered aircraft, must adhere to the Technical Requirements of DGAC AD 91-166 (AB), ensuring compliance with safety standards outlined in the Requirement Document. The directive mandates the addition of rivets to enhance the life raft top cover's resistance to ejection and requires a check of the vent hole passage to prevent premature opening. The compliance time for these requirements, initially set by the French authority, is extended by two months, concluding on 31 December 1991 for life rafts on Australian registered aircraft. The scope of this regulation is confined to the specified aircraft and life rafts, with no broader application to other entities or industries.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39, Section 107, outline the specific requirements for the airworthiness directives related to emergency equipment, such as life rafts. This section mandates the installation of additional rivets on Aerazur life rafts (section 11/91) to enhance the top cover ejection resistance. It also requires a check of the vent hole passage to prevent untimely opening of the life rafts. These directives apply to Aerazur life rafts with specific part numbers and serial numbers up to 198, installed on Aerospatiale Helicopters. The compliance must align with the Technical Requirements of DGAC AD 91-166 (AB), as referenced in Aerazur SB 332.60.003 Revision 1, with a compliance deadline of 31 December 1991 for those installed on Australian registered aircraft. The obligations under this directive are clear and specific. Operators and owners of Aerospatiale Helicopters equipped with the specified Aerazur life rafts must ensure that additional rivets are installed to meet the ejection resistance criteria and that the vent hole passages are checked to prevent premature opening. These actions are necessary to maintain the safety and effectiveness of the emergency equipment. Compliance with these technical requirements is mandatory, and failure to adhere to the specified deadlines could result in non-compliance with the regulations, potentially impacting the airworthiness of the aircraft. Violations of the provisions set out in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to significant consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in this directive, general civil aviation regulations provide for substantial penalties for non-compliance. These may include fines, enforcement notices, and in severe cases, the suspension or revocation of an aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness. Criminal charges may also be applicable, leading to imprisonment or further financial penalties depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety.