COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes
AD/F28/59
Amdt 1
Emergency Lighting 8/89
Applicability: All model F28-1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Series aeroplanes.
Requirement: 1. Ensure that a three position emergency lighting switch (ie OFF, ON and ARMED), which incorporates a means to ensure against inadvertent operation from the ON or ARMED positions is installed in the cockpit.
Note: Fokker SB F28/33-26 and F28/33/35 refers.
2. Verify that the emergency lighting system will illuminate:
(a) upon loss of normal electrical power (ie upon loss of AC generator power) when armed in the cockpit
(b) when turned on in the cockpit; and
(c) when turned on at the flight attendant station.
3. Accomplish one of the following:
(a) Modify the emergency lighting system so that when armed, and upon loss of normal electrical power, the emergency lighting system is powered by its own dedicated battery packs ; or
(b) Determine, by illumination measurement, the minimum aircraft battery voltage necessary to provide the required emergency lighting illumination levels. Modify the emergency lighting control circuitry to ensure that when armed and upon loss of normal aircraft power, the emergency lighting system power source is switched from the aircraft battery to the emergency lighting system dedicated battery packs PRIOR to the aircraft battery falling below this minimum voltage.
Note 1: For the purpose of this Directive, the emergency lighting system is considered to consist of the emergency lights, the evacuation lights, and where required the floor proximity escape path lighting.
Note 2: Normal electrical power is considered to be AC generator power. Note 3: Fokker S B F28/33/35 and FAA AD 88-25-07 refer.
Compliance: Prior to 23 February 1990.
Background: The FAA and Fokker have advised that early configuration F28 aircraft may not have a three position switch of the type required, and also that certain elements of the emergency lighting system may not illuminate automatically if normal aircraft power is lost. This condition could result in failure of the emergency lights to operate when required in an emergency.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Amendment 1 to this Directive is issued to clarify Requirement 2.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted by the Australian Parliament, encompass various safety directives to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. One such directive is Amendment 1 to the Airworthiness Directive AD/F28/59, specifically addressing the emergency lighting systems for Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to rectify identified deficiencies in the emergency lighting systems of certain Fokker F28 aircraft configurations, which could potentially lead to the failure of emergency lights during critical situations, thereby compromising passenger and crew safety. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate specific modifications to ensure the emergency lighting systems are reliable and fully operational in emergency conditions. Compliance with this directive was required prior to 23 February 1990 to address the issues of non-standard emergency lighting switches and automatic illumination failures upon loss of normal electrical power.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandate compliance with AD/F28/59 Amendment 1 for all Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes, including models F28-1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000. This directive applies to the emergency lighting systems on these aircraft, requiring the installation of a three-position switch and ensuring that the emergency lighting system illuminates under specified conditions. The directive mandates that the emergency lighting system must be operational upon loss of normal electrical power, when turned on in the cockpit, and when turned on at the flight attendant station. The directive also provides options for modifying the system to ensure it functions as required. This directive applies across the Commonwealth of Australia and extends to all Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes operating within Australian jurisdiction, with compliance due by 23 February 1990. The directive does not explicitly state exclusions, but its applicability is limited to the specified Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes. Compliance with this directive may be further detailed or extended through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, Section 105, mandates Airworthiness Directives (AD) that ensure the safety and proper operation of aircraft. The AD/F28/59 Amendment 1 pertains to the Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes, addressing the emergency lighting system. This directive applies to all model F28-1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Series aeroplanes. The primary requirement is the installation of a three-position emergency lighting switch (OFF, ON, and ARMED) with safeguards against inadvertent operation from the ON or ARMED positions (Section 1). Additionally, the emergency lighting system must illuminate upon loss of normal electrical power when armed, when turned on in the cockpit, and when turned on at the flight attendant station (Section 2). Operators must either modify the emergency lighting system to be powered by dedicated battery packs upon loss of normal electrical power or determine the minimum aircraft battery voltage necessary for the required illumination levels, ensuring the emergency lighting system power source switches to the dedicated battery packs before the aircraft battery falls below this voltage (Section 3).
Operators of the Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes must ensure compliance with these directives before 23 February 1990. Compliance involves installing the specified three-position switch and verifying the emergency lighting system's functionality under the outlined conditions. Furthermore, operators must either modify the emergency lighting system to use dedicated battery packs or implement a control circuitry modification to switch power sources to dedicated battery packs before the aircraft battery voltage drops below the required level. These measures are essential to guarantee that emergency lighting functions as intended, enhancing safety during emergencies.
Failure to comply with these directives may result in serious safety hazards, particularly during emergencies where effective lighting is crucial. Non-compliance can lead to significant regulatory consequences, including potential grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are made. Furthermore, operators found in breach of these directives may face civil penalties, including fines and other sanctions imposed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. In severe cases, criminal charges could be brought against individuals responsible for the non-compliance, potentially leading to imprisonment depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety.