COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Gates Learjet 35 and 36 Series Aeroplanes
AD/LEARJET 35/27
Amdt 1
Fluorescent Lighting Inverters 6/91
Applicability: All models as listed in the requirement document.
Requirement: 1. Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 91-03-08.
Note 1: Learjet Alert Service Bulletins 31-33-2A; 35/36-33-5A; and 55-33-3A also refer.
Note 2: If any fluorescent lighting system components referred to in the requirement documents above are found to be installed in any emergency lighting system, the correct operation of which is a mandatory certification requirement for the aircraft, then the disabling of such a system in accordance with an FAA AD is not permitted.
2. Any emergency lighting system the correct operation of which may have been disabled during compliance with FAA AD 91-03-08 (Requirement 1 above) are to be reactivated.
Compliance: 1. For original issue of this directive, as specified in the Requirement document with an effective date of 12 February 1991.
2. For requirement 2 of this issue, prior to 13 September 1991.
Background: There have been numerous reports of smoke in the aircraft cabin. The cause has been attributed to failure of certain fluorescent lighting system inverters to protect the wiring against open or short circuit conditions which may lead to arcing. This condition, if not corrected, could result in smoke and/or fire in the cabin, and electromagnetic interference.
Amendment 1 to this AD is issued to include NOTE 2 to the requirement statement in order to prevent disabling of any emergency lighting system in accordance with an FAA AD, and to require re-activation of any emergency lighting systems, the correct operation of which is a mandatory certification requirement for the aircraft, which may have been disconnected during compliance with requirement 1.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of Part 39 - 105, introduced the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically addressing the Gates Learjet 35 and 36 series aeroplanes. This legislation was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to address issues concerning the safety of aircraft, particularly focusing on the potential hazards arising from failures in fluorescent lighting inverters. These failures had been linked to reports of smoke in the cabin, which could escalate to fires or cause electromagnetic interference, posing a serious risk to flight safety. The policy objective of these regulations is to ensure that all applicable aircraft maintain airworthiness standards by adhering to specific technical requirements and corrective actions as mandated by CASA. The directive, AD/LEARJET 35/27 Amendment 1, specifically targets the management of fluorescent lighting inverters to prevent any compromise to emergency lighting systems, which are critical for aircraft safety during emergencies.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, focusing on Gates Learjet 35 and 36 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all models of these aircraft as specified in the requirement document. It mandates compliance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 91-03-08, which includes actions to address issues related to fluorescent lighting inverters, and references Learjet Alert Service Bulletins 31-33-2A; 35/36-33-5A; and 55-33-3A. The directive applies to both the original issue, effective from 12 February 1991, and subsequent requirements, particularly the reactivation of emergency lighting systems disabled during compliance, which must be completed before 13 September 1991. The directive's scope ensures safety by preventing the disabling of emergency lighting systems that are critical for aircraft certification. Notably, this regulation extends its reach through subordinate instruments, such as the referenced FAA AD and Learjet Service Bulletins, to provide comprehensive guidance and compliance pathways for the aviation industry.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address the safety directives for Gates Learjet 35 and 36 Series Aeroplanes through AD/LEARJET 35/27 Amendment 1. This directive mandates actions related to the fluorescent lighting inverters. Section 1 of the directive requires that all actions must comply with the technical requirements of FAA AD 91-03-08. This includes addressing issues related to smoke in the aircraft cabin, which has been traced to failures in the fluorescent lighting system inverters that do not adequately protect wiring against open or short circuit conditions. The directive also references Learjet Alert Service Bulletins 31-33-2A, 35/36-33-5A, and 55-33-3A for further guidance.
The obligations imposed by this Act on the relevant parties, particularly aircraft operators and maintenance providers, are quite specific. They must ensure that all fluorescent lighting inverters on Gates Learjet 35 and 36 Series Aeroplanes comply with the FAA AD 91-03-08 technical requirements. Moreover, if any components of the fluorescent lighting system are installed in an emergency lighting system, operators must not disable such systems in accordance with an FAA AD unless expressly permitted. If any emergency lighting systems have been disabled during compliance with the directive, they must be reactivated to meet the mandatory certification requirements for the aircraft. These obligations are designed to prevent potential hazards such as smoke, fire, and electromagnetic interference in the aircraft cabin.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the AD/LEARJET 35/27 Amendment 1 could result in significant legal and safety repercussions. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can generally lead to severe consequences. These may include fines, enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required compliance is achieved. The directive emphasises the importance of adhering to these safety measures to prevent hazardous conditions that could endanger passengers and crew. Ensuring compliance not only mitigates the risk of in-flight incidents but also maintains the airworthiness certification of the aircraft.