AD/GAF-N22/42 - Emergency Exit - External Label

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), include provisions under PART 39 concerning Airworthiness Directives (ADs) aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft operations. Specifically, AD/GAF-N22/42 addresses a critical safety issue related to the emergency exit labelling on GAF N22 and N24 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to rectify a problem where certain aircraft were equipped with emergency exit labels that provided incorrect information on how to operate the emergency exits, potentially compromising passenger safety during emergencies. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and requires the fitting of the correct label at the next 100-hour inspection following receipt of the correct label, as detailed in Nomad Service Bulletin SB NMD-11-3 dated 31 March 1981. The policy objective of this AD is to ensure that all emergency exit labels are accurate and unambiguous, thereby enhancing the safety and effectiveness of emergency procedures on board aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) concerning various aircraft, including the GAF N22 and N24 Series Aeroplanes. This particular regulation, AD/GAF-N22/42, pertains to the emergency exit external label and requires adherence to the guidelines outlined in Nomad Service Bulletin SB NMD-11-3 dated 31 March 1981. The directive applies to aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel who are responsible for ensuring compliance with the specified safety standards. It mandates that the correct label, which accurately describes the operation of the emergency exit, be installed at the next 100-hour inspection following receipt of the correct label. This requirement underscores the importance of precise and clear labelling to ensure passenger safety in emergency situations. The regulation operates under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, and its application extends to any aircraft within the Australian airspace that falls under the specified series and model. The regulation does not specify any exclusions or exemptions but requires strict compliance to maintain the safety and integrity of civil aviation operations.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, outlines the requirements for the GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes (sections referenced as AD/GAF-N22/42). The directive addresses the issue of the emergency exit external label, which has been found to be incorrectly described in some aircraft, potentially causing confusion during an emergency. According to the directive, the incorrect label shows the wrong position of the handle and the incorrect direction of rotation necessary to operate the emergency exit. This crucial information is detailed in Nomad Service Bulletin SB NMD-11-3 dated 31 March 1981, which must be referenced for compliance purposes. The obligations imposed by this legislation on the relevant parties primarily involve ensuring that the emergency exit label is corrected and updated to the correct specifications as outlined in the referenced service bulletin. Specifically, compliance with the directive is required at the next 100-hour inspection after the receipt of the correct label. This means that the aircraft operator or the entity responsible for the maintenance of the aircraft must ensure that the necessary label is procured and installed correctly to prevent any potential confusion during an emergency situation. Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive can lead to serious consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the text provided, it is generally understood that non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties can include fines and enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, while criminal penalties may involve imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety. The maximum penalties would typically be determined by the specific regulations and the discretion of the courts in interpreting the relevant laws. It is imperative that all parties adhere strictly to these directives to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety.