AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/GENERAL/67 Amdt 2 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Aircraft - General
AD/GENERAL/67
Amdt 3
Passenger Safety Harnesses 1/2004
Applicability: All aeroplanes under 5700 kg manufactured after December 1986 except for multi- engine aeroplanes which have more than 9 passenger seats.
Requirement: 1. Install an approved safety belt and shoulder harness to each seat that is to be occupied during take-off or landing.
2. Install a placard prohibiting occupancy during take-off or landing for seats that are only fitted with a safety belt.
Note: US FAR 91.205(b)(16) and FAR 23.2 refer.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, prior to 15 February 1995.
Compliance times are unchanged by this amendment. This Amendment becomes effective on 22 January 2004.
Background: In December 1985, the FAA introduced a requirement that shoulder harnesses are to be fitted to all seats in aeroplanes manufactured after December 1986, that have nine passenger seats or less. This Directive is issued to ensure that passengers in Australian aircraft are provided with the same degree of protection in an emergency. Amendment 1 was issued to allow seats not used during take-off or landing to be fitted with a lap belt only.
Amendment 2 was issued to apply the same level of safety to passengers of small aeroplanes which are permitted to carry more than 9 passengers under CAO 101.22. FAR 23 does not address this situation.
Amendment 3 is issued to align this directive with the forthcoming CASR Part 90. Amendment 2 of this directive would require some aircraft to be modified which would not need to be so modified under Part 90. Amendment 3 removes this anomaly.
Aircraft - General
AD/GENERAL/67 Amdt 3 (continued)
Amendment 2 became effective on 15 September 1994.
The original Issue of this directive became effective on 31 July 1989.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 1 December 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 24 December 2003.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/GENERAL/67 Amdt 3, issued in 2004 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, aims to ensure that passenger safety in Australian aircraft is maintained at a level consistent with international standards, particularly those set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This directive was enacted to address the gap in safety standards for passengers in small aeroplanes, particularly those manufactured after December 1986 and configured to carry more than nine passengers, which were previously not fully compliant with the requirements for shoulder harnesses during critical phases of flight. By mandating the installation of approved safety belt and shoulder harnesses for all seats used during take-off or landing, and requiring placards for seats equipped only with a lap belt, the AD seeks to harmonise safety regulations and protect passengers in emergency situations. The policy objective is clearly to enhance passenger safety in compliance with international best practices and to mitigate risks associated with inadequate restraint systems.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/GENERAL/67 Amdt 3 applies to all aeroplanes under 5700 kg manufactured after December 1986, with the exception of multi-engine aeroplanes that have more than 9 passenger seats. This directive mandates specific safety measures to ensure the protection of passengers during take-off and landing, aligning with international standards such as US FAR 91.205(b)(16) and FAR 23.2. The requirement entails installing an approved safety belt and shoulder harness to each seat that is to be occupied during these phases of flight, and placing a placard to prohibit occupancy during take-off or landing for seats equipped only with a safety belt. This directive is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia. The compliance date remains unchanged from previous amendments, with the directive becoming effective on 22 January 2004. This amendment rectifies discrepancies from earlier versions to harmonise with forthcoming changes in CASR Part 90, ensuring consistency and safety across the aviation sector.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertain to the installation of safety belts and shoulder harnesses on certain aeroplanes. Section 1 of the requirement mandates the installation of an approved safety belt and shoulder harness to each seat that will be occupied during take-off or landing. Section 2 requires the installation of a placard that prohibits occupancy during these critical phases for seats that are only fitted with a safety belt. This requirement is applicable to all aeroplanes under 5700 kg manufactured after December 1986, excluding multi-engine aeroplanes with more than 9 passenger seats (AD/GENERAL/67 Amdt 3, sections 1 and 2).
The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties and entities it governs. Aircraft operators must ensure that the safety belt and shoulder harness are installed on all seats intended for occupancy during take-off and landing. This includes verifying the approval status of the safety equipment and ensuring compliance with the AD's instructions. For seats not equipped with a shoulder harness, a placard must be installed to prohibit occupancy during critical phases of flight. These obligations are to be fulfilled by the specified compliance date, which in this case was prior to 15 February 1995, unless the action had already been completed (AD/GENERAL/67 Amdt 3, sections 1 and 2).
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this AD may result in significant consequences. While the specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breach are not detailed within the text of this AD, non-compliance with CASA directives can typically lead to enforcement actions, fines, and potential grounding of the aircraft. The severity of penalties can vary, but may include administrative penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which can result in fines up to $22,200 for individuals and $111,000 for bodies corporate, along with potential criminal charges for more serious breaches (AD/GENERAL/67 Amdt 3, sections 1 and 2).