COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Emergency Equipment
AD/EMY/8 Life Jackets - Inspection and Modification 9/72
Applicability: All RFD life jackets P/No. RFD/AUST/3/R162 with S/No. A01 to A233 fitted with nylon operating head P/No. RFD/3494/72 and Sparklet cylinder P/No. 3191/09.
Requirement: 1. Check Sparklet cylinder P/N 3191/09 for penetration of the copper sealing disc by the actuating needle of the operating head P/N RFD/3494/72. If there are signs that the needle has contacted the sealing disc, replace the operating head with an operating head Miniflater type P/N RFD/3494/109 before the jacket is worn or carried in an aircraft.
2. Replace the operating heads P/N RFD/3494/72 with P/N RFD/3494/109.
Compliance: Para. 1 - Inspection: Before further flight after 1 September 1972 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 7 days.
Para. 2 - Modification: Not later than the next annual inspection of the life jacket after 1 September (AD/EMY/2 refers).
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 107, establish a schedule of airworthiness directives, including AD/EMY/8 concerning life jackets. This directive was enacted to address safety concerns related to the inspection and modification of certain life jackets, particularly those made by RFD with specific serial numbers and parts. The primary objective of AD/EMY/8 is to enhance the safety of emergency equipment by ensuring that life jackets meet stringent operational standards. The Australian Government, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, established this directive to mitigate the risk of life jacket malfunction, which could have severe consequences during aviation emergencies. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and involves regular inspection and modification of specified parts to maintain airworthiness and ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, governs the safety of aviation in Australia by imposing mandatory airworthiness directives, including AD/EMY/8 which addresses life jackets. This particular directive applies to all RFD life jackets with serial numbers ranging from A01 to A233, fitted with a nylon operating head P/No. RFD/3494/72 and a Sparklet cylinder P/No. 3191/09. The directive mandates a thorough inspection and, if necessary, modification of the life jackets to ensure they meet the required safety standards. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, as it is administered by the Commonwealth of Australia through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Compliance with this directive is essential for maintaining the safety standards of aviation equipment and ensuring that the specified life jackets are airworthy. Failure to adhere to the inspection and modification requirements can result in non-compliance with civil aviation safety regulations.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 107, outlines the Airworthiness Directives (AD) concerning emergency equipment, including life jackets. One such directive, AD/EMY/8, pertains to the inspection and modification of RFD life jackets (Section 9/72). This directive applies to all life jackets with particular serial numbers (A01 to A233) and specific part numbers for their operating heads and cylinders (Section 9/72). The main requirement is to inspect and, if necessary, replace the operating head to ensure safety (Section 1).
The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties governed by this directive. Firstly, the directive requires the inspection of the Sparklet cylinder and the operating head to check for any signs of the actuating needle penetrating the copper sealing disc (Section 1). If such signs are present, the operating head must be replaced with a Miniflater type before the life jacket is used or carried on an aircraft (Section 1). Additionally, all operating heads must be replaced with the specified Miniflater type within the next annual inspection period following 1 September (Section 2). Compliance with these requirements must be demonstrated through inspection before further flight, after 1 September 1972, and at intervals not exceeding seven days (Section Para. 1). The modification must occur not later than the next annual inspection following the date of the directive (Section Para. 2).
Failure to comply with these provisions may result in various civil and criminal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the excerpt, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can generally lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Potential outcomes may include fines, grounding of aircraft, or other regulatory measures to ensure safety standards are met. The exact penalties and consequences would typically be outlined in other sections of the Civil Aviation Act or related regulations, but the directive's strict compliance requirements underscore the importance of adhering to these safety measures to avoid any adverse outcomes.