AD/FA-200/1 - Battery Leads - Identification and Relocation

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, introduced Part 39 - 105 to ensure the safe operation of civil aircraft within Australia. This part of the regulations specifically addresses the safety directive AD/FA-200/1, which applies to Fuji FA-200 Series Aeroplanes, particularly models FA-200-160 and FA-200-180. The directive was enacted to address safety concerns related to the identification and positioning of battery leads to prevent the risk of incorrect connections, which could potentially lead to severe operational hazards. By mandating the relocation of the negative battery lead on FA200-160 aircraft and requiring clear identification of both positive and negative terminals on all specified aircraft models, the directive aims to mitigate the risk of electrical failures and ensure compliance within 100 hours of service following the directive’s issuance on 28 November 1968. The overarching policy objective is to enhance the safety and reliability of civil aviation operations within Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes directives for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/FA-200/1, addresses battery lead identification and relocation for Fuji FA-200 Series aeroplanes, specifically the FA-200-160 and FA-200-180 models. This directive applies to all aircraft of these models and mandates the repositioning of the negative battery lead on FA-200-160 aircraft to ensure it cannot be mistakenly connected to the positive terminal, as well as the clear identification of both positive and negative lead terminals on both FA-200-160 and FA-200-180 aircraft. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service following the directive's issuance on 28 November 1968. The regulation's scope is limited to these specific aircraft models and their battery lead configurations, and it is enforced within the national jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in this directive, and its application is not extended or restricted through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes detailed instructions for ensuring the safety and compliance of Fuji FA-200 Series Aeroplanes. Airworthiness Directive (AD) FA-200/1 addresses the issue of battery leads on models FA200-160 and FA200-180. The main requirement of this directive, as outlined in Section 1, is to reposition the negative battery lead on FA200-160 aircraft to prevent it from being connected to the positive terminal, and to clearly identify both the positive and negative lead terminals on both FA200-160 and FA200-180 aircraft. These measures aim to prevent the risk of accidental short circuits and ensure that operators can easily distinguish between battery terminals. Compliance with AD FA-200/1 is mandatory and must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 28 November 1968, as stated in Section 2. This timeframe is critical for ensuring that all necessary modifications and identifications are completed in a timely manner to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. The directive specifically targets FA200-160 and FA200-180 models, underscoring the importance of these models adhering to the specified requirements to mitigate electrical hazards. Operators and owners of the Fuji FA-200 Series Aeroplanes must adhere to the outlined requirements in the directive to ensure compliance. This includes physically repositioning the negative battery lead on the FA200-160 model and clearly marking both the positive and negative lead terminals on both FA200-160 and FA200-180 models. Failure to comply with these provisions can result in significant safety risks, including the potential for electrical failures that could compromise the aircraft's operation. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD FA-200/1 can lead to various consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance may result in enforcement actions by CASA, including fines, penalties, or other regulatory measures. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the text, but they could include substantial financial penalties and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are made. Ensuring compliance with these directives is therefore crucial for maintaining the safety and operational integrity of the Fuji FA-200 Series Aeroplanes.