Overview

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 20 August 2002 addresses a specific safety concern regarding the Israel Aircraft Industries 1125 (Astra) Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers 004 to 141 inclusive. This AD, identified as AD/IAI-A/14, was enacted to ensure the safe operation of these aircraft by mandating inspections and repairs to the starter generator electrical cables to prevent potential cable chafing and electrical arcing near fuel lines. The directive was designed to mitigate risks that could compromise the airworthiness of the affected aircraft models, ensuring compliance with safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The AD became effective on 3 October 2002, requiring various actions to be taken within specified timeframes, as detailed in the directive.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to Israel Aircraft Industries 1125 (Astra) Series Aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 004 to 141 inclusive. This directive mandates that certain actions must be taken to ensure the safe operation of these aircraft by addressing potential issues with the starter generator electrical cables. The requirement involves visually inspecting and performing electrical checks on the right and left starter generator electrical cables, with subsequent actions such as replacement of the cables or their supports depending on the findings. The directive applies to these aircraft models within the specified serial number range and demands compliance within specific timeframes and conditions, including inspections within 250 hours of the directive's effective date and replacement actions contingent upon the results of the inspections. This directive is effective from 3 October 2002 and is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, as notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 September 2002.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/IAI-A/14 applies to Israel Aircraft Industries 1125 Astra and Astra SPX aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 004 to 141 inclusive (section 1). The key requirements of this AD, as outlined in the requirement section, are to visually inspect and conduct electrical checks of the right and left starter generator electrical cables according to Part A of Gulfstream Service Bulletin (SB) 100-54-252 dated 24 April 2002 (section 1.1). If no damage to the cables is found during this inspection and check, the cables' supports must be replaced in accordance with Part B of SB 100-54-252 (section 1.2). However, if damage is detected, both the cable supports and the electrical cables themselves must be replaced, following Part C of SB 100-54-252 (section 1.3). The obligations imposed by this AD require the owners and operators of the specified aircraft models to ensure that the visual inspections and electrical checks are conducted within 250 hours of time in service after the AD's effective date, or at the next engine removal, or prior to the next flight following the inspection, as applicable (section 2). These obligations are critical for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring that any potential issues with the starter generator electrical cables are identified and rectified in a timely manner. Breach of the obligations under this AD may result in severe consequences, including the potential grounding of the affected aircraft until the required actions are completed. Although the AD does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, it is likely that failure to adhere to the AD's requirements could result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including fines, sanctions, or other regulatory measures. The safety and airworthiness of the aircraft are of paramount importance, and non-compliance with this AD could potentially lead to serious safety risks.