AD/GAF-N22/57 - Oxygen - Cabin Supply Pipe

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. This legislation, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), aims to address various safety concerns and ensure compliance with international standards. One such specific directive within this regulatory framework is the Airworthiness Directive AD/GAF-N22/57, which was introduced in 1990 to address the problem of potential electrical contact with cabin oxygen lines in GAF N22 and N24 Series Aeroplanes. This directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after its promulgation on 30 April 1990, as outlined in accordance with ASTA Nomad Service Bulletin NMD-35-02, to mitigate safety risks associated with oxygen supply systems in the passenger cabin. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by preventing electrical faults that could compromise the integrity of the oxygen supply.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, apply to all aircraft operators and entities involved in the maintenance and operation of GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes equipped with cabin oxygen outlets. This regulation is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and pertains specifically to aeroplanes that feature customer options G71B, G71C, or R72. The directive aims to mitigate the risk of electrical contact with cabin oxygen lines by requiring compliance with the ASTA Nomad Service Bulletin NMD-35-02. Operators must ensure that the necessary actions are taken within 100 hours of the aeroplane's time in service following 30 April 1990. The regulation does not explicitly exclude any categories of aircraft or operators but implicitly applies to all relevant parties within the scope of the specified aircraft models and configurations. The scope of the directive can be extended or further defined through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes a provision for the GAF N22 and N24 series aeroplanes regarding cabin oxygen supply pipes (AD/GAF-N22/57). This directive applies to all series equipped with oxygen outlets in the passenger cabin, including Customer Options G71B, G71C, or R72. The requirement is that actions must be taken in accordance with the ASTA Nomad Service Bulletin NMD-35-02, which is designed to address issues of electrical contact with cabin oxygen lines. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 30 April 1990. The Act imposes specific obligations on the operators and owners of the affected aircraft. They must ensure that the aircraft are modified or inspected according to the specified Service Bulletin NMD-35-02 to prevent any risk of electrical contact with the cabin oxygen supply pipes. This includes taking necessary actions such as repairing or replacing parts, installing necessary guards or insulation, and conducting thorough checks to confirm that the modifications are effective and compliant with the directive. The responsibility to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft under these regulations falls squarely on the operators and owners, who must keep their records and documentation up to date to demonstrate compliance. Failure to comply with the requirements of this directive can result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of the risk to passenger safety. The specific maximum penalties for breaches of these regulations are not detailed in the directive but are outlined in broader aviation safety legislation, where the potential for fines and imprisonment exists depending on the severity of the breach and the impact on safety. Operators and owners must, therefore, take these obligations seriously to avoid any legal repercussions.